Description
A delicious and hearty Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet featuring tender ground beef simmered with garlic, onions, and tomato paste, combined with al dente ziti pasta and melty mozzarella cheese for a comforting one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups ziti pasta cooked (see notes)
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 onion chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley plus more for garnish
- Salt to taste (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook 2 cups ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, reducing cooking time by 1 minute. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta without rinsing and set aside.
- Brown beef: In a large skillet over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add 1 pound ground beef and brown while breaking it up with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes.
- Simmer beef mixture: Reduce heat to medium. Season beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 chopped onion, 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes if using, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer everything together until the meat is tender and flavors meld, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add pasta and cheese: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Top with cheese and garnish: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top of the skillet. Cover with a lid and let the cheese melt for a few minutes. Garnish generously with additional chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- If you do not have cooked pasta ready, cook pasta fresh according to package instructions, reducing cooking time by 1 minute to ensure it is slightly firm (al dente).
- Using leftover cooked pasta works well and saves time.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red chili flakes or omit for milder flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce adds depth but can be skipped for a vegetarian variation if swapping beef for plant-based meat.
- Ensure not to rinse pasta after cooking to help the sauce stick better.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
