Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake is a quick and flavorful comfort food ideal for busy families. Tender pasta mixed with savory ground beef and melted cheese comes together in under 30 minutes. Enjoy a satisfying and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 oz. penne pasta
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1.5 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, saving 1 cup of cooking water before draining. Return pasta to the pot after draining.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Season with salt and Italian seasoning and let it cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes to brown well underneath.
- Break up the meat and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until fully browned, about 3 to 5 minutes more. Drain excess grease if preferred.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the beef mixture and cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, then add the diced tomatoes with juices, cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir for about 30 seconds. Then add shredded Cheddar cheese and mix well until melted.
- Combine the beef mixture with the cooked pasta. Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g + 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg