One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

A comforting one-pot dinner where ground beef, tomatoes, and pasta simmer together before being finished with melted cheese for a rich, satisfying meal. This Italian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, medium onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, 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
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (canned)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté together for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz penne pasta to the simmering sauce, stirring to combine. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove the pot from heat and sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes gooey. Serve immediately.