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Tasty Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet

Featured in: Family-Friendly Dinners Everyone Will Love

Cook ground beef in large skillet, pour off grease. Toss in pasta with water just covering it. Cook until pasta gets soft, stir occasionally. Add cheese until it melts, maybe add a bit of milk for creaminess. Add plenty of salt and pepper. Dinner's ready in about 30 minutes using just one pan.

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:05:17 GMT
A bowl of rotini pasta topped with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese, garnished with fresh parsley. Pin it
A bowl of rotini pasta topped with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese, garnished with fresh parsley. | cookingkitchn.com

Whip up this Simple Hamburger Pasta Skillet for speedy, soul-warming grub. Combine ground beef and noodles in a single pan with tons of melty cheese. It delivers all your burger cravings in a luscious pasta form. Great for hectic evenings when you need to get food on the table quickly.

Benefits Worth Noting

Single skillet means minimal washing up. Super fast for those post-work meals. Appeals to family members young and old. Works with whatever ingredients you've got handy - pretty foolproof. Even the fussiest mouths will ask for more. Turns mealtime into the simplest part of your schedule.

Ingredients List

  • Ground Beef: Something lean works nicely
  • Onion: Diced finely
  • Flour: For thickening your sauce
  • Garlic Powder: Simple taste boost
  • Paprika: For depth and color
  • Milk: Full-fat gives best results
  • Beef Broth: Try the reduced sodium version
  • Salt and Pepper: Add to your liking
  • Sharp Cheddar: For that gooey stretch
  • Rotini Pasta: Great for catching sauce

Cooking Instructions

Cook Beef Mixture:
Brown beef with onions and garlic powder until done. Get rid of excess grease.
Create Sauce Foundation:
Sprinkle meat with flour and paprika. Mix and cook another 2 minutes.
Pour Liquids:
Add your broth and milk. Mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper.
Add Pasta:
Once liquid bubbles, toss in pasta. Partially cover, simmer 18 minutes until tender.
Finish With Cheese:
Stir cheese until completely melted. Sprinkle parsley on top if desired.

Satisfying Home Cooking

Just right after a tough day - hearty and comforting. One-pan cooking saves your energy. Each bite coated in velvety cheese sauce. It's like enjoying a cheeseburger and pasta dish combined.

Flavor Enhancement Tips

Get meat nice and brown for deeper taste. Cooking onions fully brings out their sweetness. The flour-paprika mix creates richness. Pasta absorbs all the broth flavors while cooking. Basic ingredients can make amazing meals.

Pasta Notes

Noodles cook directly in your sauce without needing another pot. The spiral rotini grabs sauce in all its twists. Your sauce thickens naturally as pasta cooks. You'll get meat, cheese and sauce in every mouthful.

Cheese Selection

A nice sharp cheddar really makes this dish pop. Always add your cheese last for smooth melting. Feel free to swap in different varieties or mix a few kinds. Want it extra indulgent? Throw more cheese on top before serving.

A bowl of cheesy rotini pasta mixed with ground beef, garnished with chopped parsley. Pin it
A bowl of cheesy rotini pasta mixed with ground beef, garnished with chopped parsley. | cookingkitchn.com

Customization Options

Switch to ground turkey for a healthier twist. Need some heat? Toss in some chili flakes. Looking for more nutrients? Add whatever veggies you've got. This dish reheats beautifully too - just warm it gently.

Handy Advice

Give it an occasional stir to prevent sticking. Keep the flame low after adding pasta. If it seems too dry, splash in a bit more milk. Let everything rest briefly before dishing up. Tastes fantastic with some toasted garlic bread alongside.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Rather use turkey?

It's totally fine. Slightly leaner option. You'll want extra seasoning though. Cook it carefully. It'll stay plenty juicy.

→ Need it without wheat?

Grab gluten-free noodles. Double-check your seasonings too. Rice noodles do well. Corn options taste great. Your cooking time might differ.

→ Want more veggies?

Bell peppers blend in nicely. Throw in some mushrooms. Zucchini fits in well too. Chop everything the same size. They can cook alongside the meat.

→ Can't have milk stuff?

Try non-dairy milk alternatives. Vegan cheese will melt decently. Be careful with the heat. You might need extra salt. Flavor's still good.

→ Keeping leftovers?

Store in airtight containers. Stays good refrigerated for three days. Warm up gradually. Add a touch of milk. Keep stirring while heating.

→ Getting too dry?

Save some of the pasta water. Pour in a bit more milk. Cut back on cooking time. Using a cover helps. Adding extra sauce works well.

→ Taking it places?

Insulate it to stay warm. You might need to reheat there. Pack extra cheese. Bring some milk along. Use a deep container.

→ Need it faster?

Get pre-chopped veggies. Pick quick-cooking pasta. Grate cheese ahead of time. Stick with one pan. Clean while cooking.

→ Making big batch?

You can easily double it. You'll need a larger skillet though. Be careful with the water amount. It'll take extra time. You'll want to stir more.

→ Want more flavor?

Throw in extra seasonings. Some minced garlic works wonders. Try adding hot sauce. Even diced pickles make a difference. Use different cheese varieties.

→ Pasta not cooking?

Try adding more water. Keep it covered properly. Stir it every so often. Make sure heat level is right. Give it extra minutes.

→ Sauce too thin?

Let it simmer longer. Use less water when you make it again. Put in additional cheese. Stir it more frequently. Let it rest before serving.

Conclusion

Enjoyed this? Give the hamburger casserole a shot next time. All the same tasty stuff with crispy bacon added on the top.

Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet

Quick single-pan dinner solution.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sophia


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1/2 onion, chopped small.
02 1 lb. ground beef, lean variety.
03 2 tsp powdered garlic.
04 3 tbsp flour for cooking.
05 1 tbsp sweet paprika.
06 1/4 cup sherry or beef stock.
07 3 cups beef stock, low in salt.
08 1 cup fresh milk.
09 1 1/2 tsp table salt.
10 1/2 tsp ground pepper.
11 2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked.
12 2 cups sharp cheddar, grated.

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a spacious pan and set to medium heat. Throw in your beef, onion bits, and garlic powder. Break up the meat while it browns. After it's fully cooked, drain off any extra fat and put the pan back on your stove.

Step 02

Dust the cooked meat with your flour and paprika. Mix everything well. Let it cook until it gets thick, roughly a minute or two.

Step 03

Add your sherry to the pan and use it to scrape all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom. Keep stirring until the liquid is gone, which adds amazing flavor to your dish.

Step 04

Gradually add your beef stock and milk while stirring. Shake in your salt and pepper to taste.

Step 05

Let everything bubble gently before adding your rotini. Turn down the heat, cover the pan but leave a small gap, and let it simmer. Give it a stir now and then for about 18 minutes until the pasta feels soft.

Step 06

When your pasta's done, mix in your grated cheddar until it melts into the sauce completely. You can sprinkle some chopped parsley on top if you want. Serve it hot and enjoy the homey taste.

Notes

  1. You can make a big batch of this and save it for quick meals during your busy week.
  2. Try using beef stock instead of sherry if you want a deeper taste.
  3. Chuck in extra veggies like peppers or tomatoes to make it healthier.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big frying pan.
  • Stirring spoon.
  • Measuring tools.
  • Cutting tool.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy products.
  • Wheat products.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 394
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 23 g
  • Protein: 32 g