Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a quick and comforting one-pan meal combining tender ground beef, flavorful spices, and gooey melted mozzarella with perfectly cooked ziti pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup and big flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cooked Pasta
- 2 cups ziti pasta, cooked (see NOTES)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, reducing the cooking time by 1 minute to achieve the ideal texture. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta without rinsing to retain the starches needed for the sauce.
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 2 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until it just starts to brown. Then reduce the heat to medium to avoid overcooking.
- Season and Simmer: Season the beef with salt and black pepper. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, crushed red chili flakes if desired, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water (or plain water) to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the meat is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the beef mixture to combine evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt perfectly. Garnish with additional parsley before serving for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining to keep the starches, which help thicken the sauce.
- If you do not have ziti pasta, penne or rigatoni are good substitutes.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red chili flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier melt, or substitute with cheddar or provolone for a different flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
