30-Minute Cheesy Beef & Pasta Skillet
A delicious one-pan meal combining savory ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with gooey melted cheese. The perfect family-friendly dinner, ready in just 30 minutes!
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet A 10 or 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven works best to prevent overcrowding.
- 1 Spatula Use a sturdy wooden or heat-resistant silicone spatula to break up the beef.
- 1 Cutting board For dicing the onion and mincing the garlic.
- 1 Chef's knife A sharp knife makes prep work faster and safer.
- 1 Measuring Cups & Spoons For accurately measuring broth, pasta, and seasonings.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2 ½ cups beef broth low-sodium recommended
- 1 15- oz can tomato sauce
- 8 oz short pasta e.g., rotini, penne, or shells
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics & Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until fully browned, then drain off the excess grease.
- Build Flavor: Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Stir in the oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Combine & Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Add the uncooked pasta and stir everything to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the entire mixture to a lively simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to al dente. Stir once or twice to prevent sticking.
- Melt Cheese & Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Place the lid back on for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese until gooey. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Don't Skip Draining: Draining the excess grease is key to preventing a greasy sauce.
- Healthier Swaps: For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey, whole wheat pasta, and add 1 cup of spinach or chopped zucchini during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Al Dente is Key: Be careful not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to soften in the hot sauce after being removed from the heat.