Description
A hearty and comforting Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet featuring tender ground beef simmered with garlic, onions, and spices, combined with perfectly cooked ziti pasta, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying one-pan meal.
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: Prepare the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, but remove it from boiling water one minute earlier than recommended. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta; do not rinse it.
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and brown it while breaking it up with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes. Once browned, reduce the heat to medium.
- Season and Simmer: Season the beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir in minced garlic, chopped onions, crushed red chili flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Allow the mixture to simmer until the meat is tender and the flavors meld, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Toss the cooked ziti pasta into the skillet with the beef mixture and stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top of the skillet contents.
- Melt Cheese and Garnish: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese on top melts. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Leftover cooked pasta works perfectly for this recipe. If you don't have cooked pasta on hand, cook dry ziti pasta according to package instructions but remove it one minute before al dente, reserving some pasta water for the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red chili flakes based on your desired spice level, or omit for a milder dish.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add a burst of color and freshness.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half the mozzarella with a mix of provolone or parmesan cheese.
- If you prefer a lower-fat version, choose lean ground beef and reduced-fat mozzarella cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
