One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta
A creamy, cheesy pasta dinner loaded with savory beef and tender broccoli, all cooked together in one pot for simple cleanup. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, dry penne pasta, broccoli florets, chopped small for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 8 oz dry penne pasta, 2 cups chopped broccoli florets, 3 cups beef broth, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove the lid and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, coating the pasta and broccoli evenly. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
