One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Veggie Pasta
A quick, one-pot pasta loaded with ground beef, colorful vegetables, and melted cheese that kids love. This general-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, diced small onion, medium, diced bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1, diced small onion
- 1 medium, diced bell pepper
- 1 medium, shredded carrot
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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 for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 diced small onion, 1 medium diced bell pepper, 1 medium shredded carrot, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni, 3 cups beef broth, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until macaroni is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Veggie 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 Veggie 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 Veggie 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 Veggie 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 Veggie Pasta?
General 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.
