Ground beef pasta with tomato sauce, Italian seasonings and cheese is an easy dinner idea that’s ready in 30 minutes. Everything cooks in one pan on the stove for quick prep and easy clean up!
The Ground Beef Pasta That Always Gets, “Can We Have This Again?”
This ground beef pasta is an easy one pot recipe that I like to make on busy nights. Some of my favorite words to hear at the dinner table are, “Mmmmm! Mom, can you make this again?” and I can always count on pasta dinners like this to be a hit with my family. A few of our other favorites include my Homemade Hamburger Helper and Instant Pot Spaghetti.
I love this recipe because it’s made with simple pantry ingredients that I usually have on hand, plus ground beef which I often have in the freezer. You can swap in ground turkey or ground chicken if that’s your preference. It’s cheesy, it’s saucy, it’s comforting… just the kind of dinner we need tonight!
Ingredient Notes
- Olive Oil: For sautéing the onion and garlic.
- Onion and Garlic: Fresh onion and garlic build a base of flavor.
- Ground Beef: I like to use 93% lean ground beef in this recipe. If you use higher fat ground beef drain off any excess grease after browning the meat.
- Canned Tomatoes: I use both canned crushed tomatoes and petite diced tomatoes to make the sauce.
- Seasonings: You’ll need Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Elbow Macaroni Pasta: You can swap in another short pasta shape, such as small shells. Note that the recipe calls for 12 ounces, which is 3/4 of a one pound box of dry pasta.
- Water: The water is absorbed by the pasta as it cooks.
- Cheddar Cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar for the best flavor and I always shred it myself from a block of cheese. The pre-shredded cheese in the packets at the grocery store is usually coated with an anti-caking agent so it doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Ground Beef Pasta
Cook aromatics and ground beef: Sauté the onion in olive oil until it starts to soften, then add the garlic. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned.
Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then stir in the dry pasta and water.
Cook, covered, at a medium simmer for 13-15 minutes, until the pasta is just tender. Stir the pasta every few minutes to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Add cheese and serve. Stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Cover with the lid for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Then serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with this Easy One Pot Pasta Recipe
- This Air Fryer Broccoli is one of my favorite quick side dishes, and you can even make it with frozen broccoli.
- Here’s my go-to Simple Green Salad recipe that goes well with any pasta dinner.
- There are cheers all around when my kids realize I’m making Garlic Bread to go with dinner!
Did you make this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Ground Beef Pasta (One Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, uncooked
- 2 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it starts to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds, stirring constantly.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup diced yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the ground beef, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook, crumbling the meat, until browned. Drain off excess grease as needed.1 pound lean ground beef
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Then stir in the dry pasta and water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook at a medium simmer for 13-15 minutes, until pasta is just tender. Stir the pasta every few minutes to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.12 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, 2 ½ cups water
- Remove pan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar over the top and cover with the lid for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Then serve and enjoy!1 ½ cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
I originally shared this recipe in November 2014. Retested and updated April 2026 with more helpful information, new photos and a recipe video.
I love easy meals like this!This cheesy pasta looks amazing and my husband would love this, too! So perfect for busy weeknights, and so delicious, too.
Thanks, Gayle! This recipe can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights, plus it makes quite a bit so you should have leftovers to enjoy!
I want to make this skillet tonight. In fact, I just might. I have everything except elbow noodles…whole wheat orcchietta will have to do! Pinned! Yuummmmyy
Any short pasta shape that you have on hand will do. So glad you’re excited about this one! Thanks for pinning!
I got my hair done this weekend too! Must be that time of year! This pasta looks delicious – this would definitely be a crowd pleaser dinner!
Definitely that time of year. Now we’re all set for the holidays!
So sorry to hear your little one is sick! When my son gets sick, he gets the same way, croupy cough and it’s always in his chest. I hope he feels better. This looks like the perfect comforting dinner, even for a picky pasta eater. 🙂
Thanks, Ashlyn! It’s that time of year for the little ones to be getting one bug after another, isn’t it?
I love those one pot wonders! This looks amazing with all of that meat and cheese!
One pot meals are totally my new favorite thing. Thanks for stopping by!
You were certainly busy this week. I glad your little boy is getting better. All the recipes so varied and delicious – including this one.
Thanks, Ginny!
Oh that looks super yummy! Perfect family supper idea!
Thanks, Jaren! Yes, this one just screams family dinner. 🙂
It sounds like you score mama!! I know my kids would love this as well. Pinned!
Thanks so much, Oriana!
Wow this looks absolutely amazing Kristine! I love all of the cheese melted on top. Can’t wait to give this one a try!
Thanks, Kelley! I think we agree that cheesy pasta is the best! 😉
I am making this tonight cause it looks super yummy and super quick and it will be a great finish to a long day lol
I hope you enjoyed this pasta skillet, Samantha! I’m so glad that you commented to let me know you were trying the recipe! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Just found your recipes on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing real ingredient, whole food meals so I can be proud to serve my family something delicious and nutritious!
Awww! Thank YOU for reading and leaving such a sweet comment! It makes me so happy when I hear from readers who are enjoying my recipes with their families. 🙂 Have a nice day!!
Loved the recipe! It was fast, easy and my family ate it and enjoyed it.
Can you freeze it?
I’m glad you enjoyed this! Yes, you can freeze it.
Can you freeze leftovers
Yes, you can.