Creamy Ground Beef Pasta - One Pot!

Why we love this pasta recipe?

I am sure we can all agree that busy days are best when they wind down into a relaxing evening. Cheesy and creamy ground beef pasta is the perfect meal to sit back and enjoy after an active day... One bite and you are instantly in your calm, cozy happy place.

This crowd-pleasing comfort food is easy to make with simple pantry staples like macaroni noodles and tomato paste, plus a combination seasonings, heavy cream and loads of cheese. Together the ketchup and mustard gives the dish an amazing cheeseburger flavor that reminds me of classic Hamburger Helper.

And like old-school boxed Hamburger Helper, this homemade pasta and beef is a one pot recipe that's ready in only 30 minutes, including prep time. Which is great when you want to get to that happy place ASAP!

*For more delicious and easy dinner, try these recipes:

• Instant Pot Beef Stew
• Pumpkin Pasta
• Beef Stir Fry
• Baked Meatballs
• Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients you'll need

• Ground Beef: Use ground beef that's 90-95% lean for flavorful meat that's not greasy.
• Pasta: Elbow macaroni pasta cooks evenly in one-pot dishes, and gets plenty of sauce in every bite.
• Chicken Stock: Using stock versus water gives the pasta with ground beef a more savory flavor.

• Oil: Use a good quality olive oil or avocado oil for the best taste.
• Onion and Garlic: Diced onion and minced garlic balances the flavor of the savory beef and vibrant tomato sauce.
• Dried Herbs: A blend of dried oregano, basil, and thyme is earthy and cozy
• Spices: Use a combination of mustard powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for a slightly spicy kick.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato has a very deep, zesty taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This adds delicious umami flavor to the beef and pasta.
• Tomato Passata: Passata is a bright, smooth puree made with raw tomatoes.
• Heavy Cream: The fat in heavy cream makes the pasta dish ultra rich and, well, creamy!
• Parmesan Cheese and Cheddar Cheese: Hand-shred the cheese from blocks for the best taste. Pre-shredded packaged cheese usually includes other ingredients as fillers and preservatives.

How to make ground beef pasta?

1. Cook the Beef

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy bottom skillet or a pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion turns soft.

Increase the heat to medium-high and add 1.1 lb lean ground beef. Cook the beef for 6-7 minutes stirring and searing the meat until it's no longer red/pink.

Add the 1 tablespoon dried herbs ( I have used ½ tsp thyme, ¾ teaspoon each basil, and oregano), ½ teaspoon mustard powder, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1½ teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon freshly ground pepper.

Then add the 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute stirring continuously.

2. Add the Pasta

Now, add 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce and cook for 30 seconds.

Then add a 1 (14oz) can of tomato passata (or tomato puree) and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add 12 oz uncooked elbow pasta, stir and cook on simmering heat until al dente (for about 12-14 minutes).

Keep stirring in between and scraping from the bottom of the skillet so the pasta doesn't stick to the base.

3. Make the Ground Beef Pasta Creamy and Cheesy

Add 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, stir, and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Taste and adjust the salt or seasoning if desired.

Stir in 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and let the cheese melt.

Finish the dish with a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley, if you like.

Expert Tips

• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or low-fat cream for a slightly lighter recipe.
• Add a cup of veggies to give the pasta dish a boost of nutrients. Use your choice of diced vegetables like zucchini, broccoli florets, carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes. Add them to the skillet after browning the meat and stirring in spices, but before adding the Worcestershire sauce.
• Easily change up the seasonings! I enjoy the savory mustard powder and spicy red pepper flakes to taste like classic Hamburger Helper. But those spices can be swapped out with Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, or other spice blends you like.
• If you are making this as an Italian-style ground beef and pasta recipe, consider substituting tomato passata with your favorite marinara sauce.
• Add a little extra salt to bring out the best savory, cheesy, and beefy flavors.
• Keep an eye on the pasta towards the end of the cook time. If the pasta has absorbed most liquid but the noodles are uncooked, add a bit more water (or broth) to the skillet and continue to cook.

Serving Ideas

Dish out the pasta while warm, and top with chopped fresh parsley and shaved parmesan cheese, if you like.

Some simple yet so delicious roasted veggies side, roasted cauliflower, or crispy brussels sprouts would be fabulous.

Pair with a crisp salad and hot breadsticks or garlic croutons for a full family meal!

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cheesy ground beef pasta tastes amazing the next day for lunch or a quick dinner. In fact was my teen's most requested lunch box meal for school.

Reheat leftovers in a sauce pot on the stovetop over low heat. Or warm in the microwave in short bursts. Either way you might need to add a splash of milk to loosen the cheese sauce a bit.