Description
A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring lean ground beef, tender pasta, and melted cheddar cheese simmered together in a flavorful tomato sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cups short pasta (like penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz tomato sauce (jarred or homemade)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the onion and garlic finely. Measure out the pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to have everything ready for cooking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside for later.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, around 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Browng Ground Beef: Increase the heat slightly and add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook until well browned, about 6-8 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Mix Sauce & Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything well and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Combine Pasta & Cheese: Add the cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy, cooking for 3-4 minutes on low heat. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta as a substitute if desired.
- For extra veggies, add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when sautéing onions.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adjust the seasoning by adding chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Use low-fat cheese to reduce calories.
