Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth (or water)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
2 cups uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or your choice)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for creaminess)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet, heat the pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the Tomato Sauce and Broth:
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (if using), beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Cook the Pasta:
Stir the uncooked pasta into the sauce. Cover and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed. If needed, add more broth or water if the skillet becomes too dry while the pasta cooks.
5. Add the Cheese:
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. If you’re using sour cream for extra creaminess, stir it in at this stage.
6. Serve:
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.