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Cozy Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta – Easy One Pot Dinner

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This cozy cheesy ground beef skillet pasta is a quick and easy one-pot dinner that makes a Tuesday night feel like a lazy Sunday. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s hearty, cheesy, and satisfying, with the pasta cooking right in the sauce for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 ounces short pasta (like elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add spices and tomato paste: Sprinkle in salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in liquids: Add diced tomatoes (with juices), beef broth, and water. Stir, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Add pasta: Stir in dry pasta, ensuring it’s mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring once halfway, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Make creamy and cheesy: Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream, then add shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Stir until melted and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Rest and serve: Let sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.

Notes

Shred cheese from a block for best melting. If the pan looks dry before pasta is done, add a splash of water or broth. Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef skillet pasta, one pot dinner, cheesy pasta, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-pasta-easy-one-pot-dinner/