Description
A delicious and hearty Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet featuring tender ground beef simmered with garlic, onion, and tomatoes, combined with perfectly cooked ziti pasta and gooey melted mozzarella cheese for a quick and satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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 the Pasta: Prepare the ziti pasta according to package instructions but subtract 1 minute from the recommended cooking time to achieve an al dente texture. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta without rinsing to retain starches that will help thicken the sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for about 2 minutes until it just begins to brown. Then reduce the heat to medium.
- Sauté and Simmer: Season the beef with salt and black pepper. Stir in minced garlic, chopped onion, crushed red chili flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water (or plain water if preferred). Mix well and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the flavors meld together.
- Combine Pasta and Melt Cheese: Add the cooked ziti pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture and toss to combine evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta a minute less than package instructions for best texture.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a cohesive sauce.
- Adjust crushed red chili flakes based on your spice preference.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish and added freshness.
- This recipe works well with other tubular pastas like penne or rigatoni.
