Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta Recipe
This Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta is a comforting one-pan meal featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed with a flavorful, spiced ground beef and a hearty tomato sauce, all topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. It’s an easy-to-make dish that combines the richness of beef with the gooeyness of cheese, baked to perfection in the oven for a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces (1/2 a box) medium pasta, such as malloreddus, shells, or rotini
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably grass-fed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cheese
- One 20-ounce jar pasta sauce
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for the final baking step that will melt the cheese and meld all the flavors together.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, then season with garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon until it is fully browned and cooked through.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the jarred pasta sauce into the skillet with the beef. Reduce the heat as needed and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to develop the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the drained pasta and about one-quarter (approximately 1/2 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce and beef mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.
- Bake the Dish: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling, and the sauce is gently simmering.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the skillet pasta cool slightly before serving to enjoy a delicious, cheesy, and hearty meal.
Notes
- Using a cast-iron skillet ensures even cooking and is oven safe for seamless stovetop-to-oven cooking.
- You can substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to maintain the cheese’s texture.
Keywords: Cheesy ground beef pasta, skillet pasta, baked pasta, quick dinner, one-pan meal, comfort food
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-pasta-recipe/