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Best Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta (Easy 20-Minute Meal)

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A quick and easy one-pan wonder that combines tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a blend of melted cheeses for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best for flavor; drain excess fat if needed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium is great for controlling salt)
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shells (uncooked)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes for heat (optional)
  • Extra Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Place your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with your spoon as it browns. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan. If there’s excess fat, drain it off.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the sauce: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Cook the pasta: Bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Stir in the uncooked pasta, making sure it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir once halfway through to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  5. Add the cheese: Remove the lid and return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top. Cover again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes off the heat. The residual heat will melt the cheese.
  6. Finish and serve: Give everything a gentle stir to combine the cheese into the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best texture, use block cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Let the skillet rest off the heat for a few minutes after adding cheese to allow the sauce to thicken. If the sauce is too thick before adding pasta, add an extra 1/4 cup of broth. For a crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes after adding cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy ground beef skillet pasta, easy 20-minute meal, one-pan pasta, comfort food, quick dinner

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