Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love, this cheesy ground beef pasta skillet is the perfect choice. It’s a homemade version of the classic Hamburger Helper, made with simple ingredients for a comforting, hearty dish. This great recipe is cooked in one large skillet, making it an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Whether you need a quick meal after a busy day or something satisfying for busy weeknights, this cheesy skillet dinner is a great dish to add to your rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Quick & Easy – Follows simple steps and is ready in 30 minutes.
✔ One-Pan Meal – Cooked in a large cast-iron skillet or dutch oven for easy cleanup.
✔ Family-Friendly – This ground beef pasta recipe is perfect for the entire family.
✔ Creamy & Cheesy – The super creamy sauce is made with cheddar cheese and heavy cream.
✔ Better Than the Boxed Version – No artificial ingredients, just true recipes made from scratch.
Ingredients You Will Need
This easy dinner recipe comes together with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand:
- Lean Ground Beef – This can be swapped for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Herbs & Spices – A blend of dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, oregano, parsley, and paprika for rich flavor.
- Beef Broth – Adds depth to the pasta sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Enhances the savory ground beef.
- Tomato Sauce – The base of the cheesy sauce.
- Heavy Cream – Creates a super creamy sauce.
- Pasta – Use elbow macaroni, bow tie, pasta shells, or penne pasta. I prefer to use Rotini.
- Grated Cheese – I use cheddar cheese but feel free to try other varieties, such as Mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Salt & Black Pepper – For seasoning to taste.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Large Skillet
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Making this cheesy beef pasta dish is easy with just a few simple steps. Here is how to make this hearty dish packed with creamy goodness and full of flavor—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the lean ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the minced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring to combine. Then, add the tomato sauce, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low once the pasta is cooked. Stir in the heavy cream, add the cheddar cheese (or your choice of cheese blend), and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
Recipe Tips & Variations
✔ Make it Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
✔ Swap the Meat – Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of lean ground beef.
✔ Use a Different Kind of Pasta – Elbow macaroni, bow tie, penne pasta, or pasta shells all work great!
What to Serve with This Pasta Dish
Side Salad – A fresh salad balances the richness.
Garlic Bread – Perfect for scooping up the cheesy sauce.
Steamed Veggies – Broccoli or green beans add a nice contrast.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat – Warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed.
- Freeze – Not recommended for longer storage, as the sauce will not freeze well.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Looking for more quick and easy dinner ideas? Try these delicious recipes that your whole family will love:
- Beef Stroganoff – This 30-minute ground beef recipe comes together in one skillet on the stove top for a great weeknight dinner.
- Southwest Skillet with Ground Beef and Noodles – If you want a quick, flavorful dinner, this ground beef skillet recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors.
- Creamy Burrito Casserole – This easy ground beef casserole recipe is a family favorite that combines all the delicious flavors of traditional burritos in a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish.
Check out these 12 + Ground Beef Skillet Recipes for more weeknight dinner inspiration!
Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 3 cups beef broth
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh grated cheddar cheese
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the lean ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the minced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring to combine. Then, add the tomato sauce, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low once the pasta is cooked. Stir in the heavy cream, add the cheddar cheese (or your choice of cheese blend), and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
About Sarah
Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.
I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.
