Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet combines tender ground beef, ziti pasta, and a luscious blend of mozzarella cheese for a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal. With a hint of garlic, red chili flakes, and fresh parsley, this dish is perfect for a quick dinner that doesn't compromise on taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups ziti pasta cooked (see NOTES)
Meat and Sauce
- 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
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until it is al dente, but reduce cooking time by 1 minute to retain firmness. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta without rinsing it.
- Brown Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet on high heat. Add the ground beef and cook while breaking it up with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes until evenly browned.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Season the beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add minced garlic, chopped onions, crushed red chili flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and the reserved 1/2 cup pasta water. Stir well and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce is well combined.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Mix the cooked pasta into the meat sauce along with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.
- Melt Cheese and Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the skillet, cover with a lid, and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Leftover cooked pasta works great for this recipe to save time—if using dry pasta, cook according to package instructions until al dente, then proceed.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red chili flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
- Using fresh mozzarella can add a creamier texture but requires shredding or slicing into small pieces.
- To reduce sodium, adjust the amount of salt or Worcestershire sauce used.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
