Description
Comforting cheesy ground beef pasta delivers a hearty midwest-style dinner perfect for family gatherings. Melted cheese, seasoned beef, and tender noodles combine in one satisfying skillet meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Additions:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing to brown the ground beef with precision.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Introduce ground beef to the pan, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking for 6-8 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Season the beef with salt and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the meat.
- Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta and reserve a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Pour pasta sauce and heavy cream into the skillet with browned beef, stirring to create a rich, creamy mixture.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the beef and sauce, coating each piece thoroughly with the luxurious sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and sprinkle cheddar and parmesan cheeses over the pasta, allowing them to melt completely.
- Gently stir the pasta to integrate the melted cheeses, creating a smooth and velvety texture.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh herbal notes.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
- Consider draining excess beef fat after browning to decrease overall calorie content and improve dish’s nutritional profile.
- Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lower-calorie alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella, monterey jack, or gruyere to create unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg