One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Tomato Pasta
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 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Tomato Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Tomato 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 Tomato 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 Tomato Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Tomato Pasta?
Italian beef 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
