American
Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet
This skillet version pulls the best parts of Food Network's Cheeseburger Pasta and beefy mac-and-cheese recipes into one glossy, weeknight-friendly pan. The beef gets browned first, the tomato paste cooks until brick red, and the cheddar melts into the pasta instead of turning grainy.
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh ProteinHigh CarbQuick WeeknightOne PanComfort Food
At a Glance
- Time
- 30 mins
- Serves
- 4
- Cost
- Low
- Cuisine
- American
- Dietary fit
- Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in well-salted water until just shy of al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. The pasta should still have a little bite so it finishes in the sauce instead of going soft.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook 3 minutes more until glossy, then stir in the garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire for 30 seconds until the paste darkens and smells sweet.
- Pour in the broth and milk and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and looks shiny. Season with salt and black pepper, then scrape the pan bottom so the browned bits dissolve into the sauce.
- Add the pasta and toss over medium-low heat for 1 minute, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed so the sauce clings instead of pooling. Stir in the cheddar off the heat until melted and creamy.
- Serve right away while the pasta is glossy and the cheese is fully melted.
Adaptations
Easy Swap- Gluten-Free: Easy Swap Easy swap; see the adaptation note below.
- Dairy-Free: Easy Swap Easy swap; see the adaptation note below.
- Vegetarian: Not Vegetarian Not adaptable; this recipe is built around meat, poultry, or seafood.
How to adapt: Cook one shared beef sauce, then divide it between regular pasta with cheddar and certified gluten-free pasta with dairy-free cheddar or nutritional yeast.