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Quick Cheesy Ground Beef and Rotini Pasta Skillet

quick cheesy ground beef and rotini pasta skillet - featured image
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A forgiving, fast, and comforting skillet meal featuring ground beef, rotini pasta, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 12 ounces (340g) rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
  • 1 ½ cups (about 150g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add 1 medium chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Pour in 1 ½ cups tomato sauce and 1 cup beef broth. Stir to combine.
  4. Add 12 ounces dry rotini pasta directly into the sauce mixture, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Add more broth or water if needed.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let the pasta cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
  6. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Cover and let sit off the heat for 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.
  7. Gently stir the melted cheese into the pasta and beef mixture. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

If sauce is too thick during cooking, add a splash of broth or water. If too thin, uncover skillet and simmer a few extra minutes to reduce. Letting the dish rest covered off the heat helps melt the cheese perfectly. Use a lid to trap steam and cook pasta evenly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, substitute cheeses and pasta accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef pasta skillet, cheesy pasta skillet, quick dinner, rotini pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, easy pasta skillet

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/quick-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rotini-pasta-skillet-recipe-easy-dinner-idea/