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Beefy Cheesy Pasta Skillet

A one-pan pasta dish with ground beef, melty cheese, and a creamy tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with no draining needed.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 8 ounces uncooked short pasta such as rotini or cavatappi
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Equipment

  • 12-inch skillet with lid
  • wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • grater

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Do not drain all fat; leave about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add tomato paste and stir constantly for 1 minute. This deepens the flavor. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Stir in the uncooked pasta. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed. The sauce should cling to the pasta, not pool.
  5. Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan over the top. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes until the cheese melts. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to loosen. Freezing not recommended as pasta texture changes. For a lighter version, use ground turkey and low-fat cheese. Common allergens: dairy (cheese), gluten (pasta). For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check broth labels. Always handle hot cookware with care.