Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender pasta combined with savory ground beef and a rich, flavorful pasta sauce. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese and baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a perfect family-friendly meal that comes together quickly on the stovetop and finishes in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably grass-fed
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pasta & Sauce
- 8 ounces (1/2 a box) medium pasta, such as malloreddus, shells, or rotini
- One 20-ounce jar pasta sauce
Seasonings & Oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- 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: Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and season with garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook while breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until fully browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour in the jar of pasta sauce and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the cooked pasta along with about one-quarter of the shredded cheddar cheese (about 1/2 cup) into the skillet, ensuring everything is well mixed and coated with the sauce.
- Bake the Dish: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, about 15 minutes.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet to go directly from stovetop to oven, but any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For a creamier texture, consider stirring in a splash of milk or cream before baking.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave and make great next-day meals.
- Ground turkey or plant-based meat substitutes can be used as alternatives to ground beef.
Keywords: Cheesy pasta, ground beef pasta, skillet pasta, baked pasta, comfort food, easy dinner