Description
A quick and hearty cheesy ground beef pasta skillet that combines tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, and melted mozzarella cheese for a comforting family-friendly meal. Perfect for weeknights when you want something satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups ziti pasta, cooked (see notes)
- 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
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil the pasta according to package directions until al dente, removing 1 minute early. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse.
- Cook beef: In a large skillet over high heat, add oil and brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, approximately 2 minutes. Lower heat to medium and season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté aromatics and add liquids: Stir in garlic, chopped onion, chili flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and the reserved pasta water. Simmer until the beef is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add pasta and cheese: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix well to combine.
- Finish with cheese: Top with remaining mozzarella cheese, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes. Garnish with additional parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use leftover cooked pasta; if not, cook fresh as instructed.
- Adjust the chili flakes based on your spice preference.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
