Creamy Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet
This Creamy Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet is a simple one-pan comfort meal packed with flavor. Seasoned ground beef cooks with tender pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce that coats every bite. It’s perfect for busy weeknights because everything cooks in one skillet, meaning fewer dishes and a hearty meal ready in about 30 minutes.
Servings
4–6 servings
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells)
2 cups beef broth
1 cup milk or heavy cream
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional if beef is lean)
Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Brown the beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add olive oil if needed, then cook the ground beef and diced onion together for about 5–6 minutes, breaking the meat apart until browned.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Add garlic and seasoning
Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Cook the pasta
Add the uncooked pasta, beef broth, and milk (or cream).
Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until:
the pasta is tender
most of the liquid has thickened into a sauce
4. Make it creamy and cheesy
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in the cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until the sauce becomes rich, creamy, and cheesy.
5. Adjust seasoning
Taste and add extra salt, pepper, or cheese if desired.
6. Serve
Remove from heat and let sit 2–3 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions and serve warm.
What to Serve With It
This rich pasta goes well with lighter sides like:
Garlic bread
Simple green salad
Steamed broccoli or green beans
Roasted vegetables
Tips for the Best Flavor
✔ Use sharp cheddar for stronger cheesy flavor.
✔ Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for extra depth.
✔ Stir in ½ cup mozzarella for extra meltiness.
✔ If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of milk or broth.
Storage:
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reheat on the stove with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
