Cheddar and Beef Pasta
This easy cheddar and beef pasta is a creamy, cheesy one-pot dinner made with ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and sharp cheddar cheese. Ready in about 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, it's a comforting family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz elbow macaroni about 2 cups
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 oz
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Sliced green onions or chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.Add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.Pour in the beef broth and whole milk. Add the dry elbow macaroni and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for about 30 seconds. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with green onions or parsley and serve warm.