One-Skillet Cheesy Beef and Pasta Dinner

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb lean ground beef
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 12 oz penne pasta (dry)
• 3 cup beef broth
• 4 tbsp butter (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 6 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1.5 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1.5 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan (grated)
• 0.75 cup mozzarella (shredded)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and slightly crispy.

3. 3

   Season the beef with salt, black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Stir well to coat.

4. 4

   Push the seasoned beef to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, the diced onion, and the minced garlic to the empty space.

5. 5

   Cook the onion and garlic until they are soft and fragrant, then mix them into the beef.

6. 6

   Pour in 3 cups of beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

7. 7

   Stir in 12 oz of penne pasta. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

8. 8

   Reduce the heat to low and pour in 1.5 cups of heavy cream, stirring until well combined.

9. 9

   Add 4 oz of cream cheese and whisk or stir vigorously until the sauce is smooth and the cream cheese has fully incorporated.

10. 10

    Add 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, 1 cup Parmesan, and 3/4 cup mozzarella. Stir constantly until all the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy.

11. 11

    Garnish with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Tips & Variations: Add spinach or broccoli for extra vegetables. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option. Feel free to use rotini or shells instead of penne. Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• one-skillet
• beef
• pasta
• cheesy
• comfort food
• weeknight meal