One-Pan Beef, Broccoli, and Cheddar Ditalini

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• cowboy butter seasoning (Season the meat well; use again later. Amount not specified.)
• black pepper (Season the meat well; use again later. Amount not specified.)
• sharp cheddar cheese (Shred a block and use about half; block shown is 16 oz (453 g), so about 8 oz (227 g) is used.)
• chopped onion (Optional; the creator uses ready-to-use chopped onion. Diced onion can be added at the beginning instead.)
• 1 lb ditalini pasta
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup broccoli (Fresh; chopped very small.)
• 0.875 cup heavy cream (Creator says around 3/4 to 1 cup, then suggests adding another splash if the pasta seems dry; amount is an approximate midpoint.)

Steps

1. 1

   Brown the ground beef in a large pan. Season it well with cowboy butter seasoning and black pepper while it cooks.

2. 2

   While the beef cooks, shred the cheddar. The creator shreds the whole 16-ounce block and uses about half; set aside the remaining cheese.

3. 3

   Add chopped onion to the beef if using. If using diced onion instead, add it at the beginning with the beef.

4. 4

   Drain off some of the grease, leaving a little in the pan.

5. 5

   Add the ditalini pasta and toss it in the pan to toast it briefly.

6. 6

   Pour in the beef broth. Season again with the same cowboy butter seasoning and black pepper used earlier.

7. 7

   Once the broth is boiling, add the finely chopped broccoli.

8. 8

   Cover the pan and let the broccoli steam for a few minutes.

9. 9

   Uncover the pan and toss everything together well.

10. 10

    Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until the pasta is nearly done.

11. 11

    Add about 3/4 to 1 cup of heavy cream and stir well. If the pasta seems dry, add another splash of cream.

12. 12

    Add the shredded cheddar and stir until it melts, which should take a few minutes.

13. 13

    Serve. The creator suggests buttered bread alongside.

Notes

The creator says the dinner takes about 15 minutes and serves it with buttered bread. No exact amount is given for the onion, seasoning, or pepper; these are left to taste. The source does not specify a precise amount of onion or seasoning.

Nutrition per serving

• dinner
• main
• one-pan
• quick
• comfort food
• family-friendly