Description
This comforting Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta combines tender pasta with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, all melted together with rich cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal, this dish is flavorful and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
- 1 cup beef broth
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses into the skillet, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the cheesy beef mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta hot, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your comforting meal!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Fresh basil or parsley makes a great garnish to enhance flavor and presentation.
- Make sure to not overcook the pasta; al dente texture holds better when mixed with sauce.
- For a richer sauce, you may add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese when melting the cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: cheesy ground beef pasta, beef pasta recipe, cheesy pasta with beef, easy dinner recipes, comfort food pasta
