Description
A comforting and flavorful cheesy beef pasta recipe that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying family dinner. Ground beef is cooked with tomatoes and Italian seasoning, then combined with perfectly cooked pasta and melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for a creamy, delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow)
Tomato Base
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until the beef is nicely browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the tomato and beef mixture.
- Add and Melt Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy beef pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Add chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the sauce for extra vegetables.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese when adding the cheeses.
- Leftovers reheat well and make a convenient next-day meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
