This Ground Beef Pasta is hearty, flavorful, and a quick and easy dinner recipe made with deliciously seasoned ground beef in a creamy, cheesy sauce, with shell pasta. It’s a delicious comfort food recipe the whole family will enjoy.
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Pasta skillets are a great meal to make for the family because they’re fast, easy, and filling. I’ve been making this recipe for quite some time because it was so easy to make on a busy weeknight!
It starts with deliciously seasoned ground beef. Then, I make a rich cream sauce loaded with sour cream, cream cheese, beef broth, and Rotel tomatoes. Finally, it’s all mixed together with al dente pasta shells to create a pasta skillet that satisfies everyone – at least until it’s gone.
If you love pasta recipes with ground beef then you’ve got to try my taco pasta and cheesy beef pasta next!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe
- Better Than Hamburger Helper! This ground beef with pasta is kind of like a homemade Hamburger Helper recipe but way better. Not only is it cheesy, creamy, and super flavorful but it’s freshly made using wholesome ingredients.
- Hearty Meal in One Pot. Loaded with ground beef and a creamy cheese sauce that’s all mixed up with pasta shells. With this pasta dish you will know everyone will leave the table knowing they’ve just had a real meal.
- Quick + Easy. This beef pasta goes together so easily using simple ingredients. It’s one you can get n the dinner table in no time.
- Versatile. This dish is perfect for weeknights and the leftovers make a great after-school snack! A big bonus is that this dish is the perfect thing to bring to potlucks, as well. It’s rich, creamy, and it travels well.
Ingredients
This ground beef pasta without tomato sauce uses simple ingredients that you can find easily at your local grocery store. Here’s a look at what you need!
- Ground beef: This recipe will work with any type of ground beef but I prefer to choose lean.
- Onion: Adds aromatic flavors when cooked with the beef.
- Seasonings: Slap Ya Mama®, garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes enhance the flavors of the creamy pasta sauce. You can use another Cajun seasoning in place of the Slap Ya Mama if you prefer.
- Cream cheese and sour cream: For a rich and creamy texture and flavor.
- Beef broth: Amps up the beefy flavors of the sauce.
- Diced green chilies and Rotel®: The combination of tomatoes and green chilies and the unique flavor in Rotel makes this dish so tasty.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar and mozzarella team up for the best flavor. Mozzarella melts up creamy with a mild flavor while the cheddar adds a sharp tanginess.
- Medium shells: My favorite are shells but you can use any short pasta such as penne, rotini or elbow macaroni!
For the full list of ingredients and the quantities of each one, see the recipe card further down the page.
Variations
- Other Ground Meats. This dish also works great with ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage in place of the ground beef.
- Shrimp. This pasta recipe works well with shrimp too!
- Spicy. Kick up the heat and flavor with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Add Veggies. Stir in some chopped spinach, blanched broccoli, or other favorite veggie.
How to Make Pasta with Ground Beef
Making this delicious dish is super easy to do. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. AND you only need a pot and a skillet!
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Step 2: Cook the Beef. Brown the beef, onions, and seasonings in a large pan over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink, and the onions are tender. Drain and return to the pan.
- Step 3: Add the Cream Sauce Ingredients. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, pasta water, and beef broth, Rotel, and diced green chilies to the pot and stir until fully incorporated and the cheese is melted. Simmer on low for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Finish the Dish. Add the pasta to the meat and cream sauce and stir well. Sprinkle in the cheese and mix until the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat this dish, place it in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty dish is a filling meal on its own, so I recommend serving it with simple sides. Some tasty examples include:
Garlic bread or cheesy garlic Texas toast are perfect for scooping up all the delicious sauce. You can also add on a simple side salad or some steamed or roasted vegetables. We love this lemon asparagus and these cauliflower patties.
Expert Tips
- Be sure you don’t overcook your pasta. It should be cooked to al dente so it stands up to the mixing and the noodles don’t get mushy.
- Always drain your beef even if it doesn’t seem greasy. You’d be surprised at how much grease is actually in the meat when you drain it.
- Shred your cheese from the block whenever possible. It melts and tastes better than pre-shredded cheese!
This easy, delicious, creamy beef pasta skillet is super rich and so simple to make. It’s the ideal dish to feed the family even on busy weeknights, and it makes a great addition to any potluck. Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure you’ll find that it becomes a permanent part of your recipe rotation.
More Tasty Ground Beef Recipes to Try
And, here is a delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas recipe, from Great Grub, Delicious Treats, that you will enjoy as well.
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Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon Slap Ya Mama®
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup pasta water
- 4 ounce diced green chilies
- 10 ounce Rotel®
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella, shredded
- 16 ounce medium shells
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown ground beef and onions.
- Sprinkle with seasonings and cook until beef is no longer pink and onions are tender.
- Drain grease and return to the pan.
- Add cream cheese, sour cream, pasta water, and beef broth. Stir until fully incorporated and cream cheese is melted. Let simmer over low medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add pasta to meat sauce and stir well.
- Sprinkle in cheese and mix until cheese is melted.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Be sure you don’t overcook your pasta. It should be cooked to al dente so it stands up to the mixing and the noodles don’t get mushy.
- Always drain your beef even if it doesn’t seem greasy. You’d be surprised at how much grease is actually in the meat when you drain it.
- Shred your cheese from the block whenever possible. It melts and tastes better than pre-shredded cheese!
