One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta (Easy Family Dinner)

ByChelsea
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This One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is the kind of easy, comforting dinner that makes busy weeknights feel a little simpler. Made with everyday ingredients in just one pot, it’s creamy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and a meal the whole family will happily dig into.

Ground Beef Pasta ready to eat in a blue stock pot with a wooden spoon on a wooden cutting board with a plaid napkin

I love a good one-pot meal and I am always trying to find new ways to use ground beef. This recipe came about on a whim. I have a few very similar recipes but the flavor profile on this one is my favorite so far. I did not try to make it higher in protein and just stuck to simple ingredients. It has that cheesy and creamy goodness that is so comforting and I already can see it being made often during those busy days where I just need to get something on the table. Pair it with a salad for a cozy, comfort meal the whole family will love. I hope you enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Pasta

  • Minimal effort. This is truly a one-pot recipe. No added dishes. Just throw it all together and dinner is served.
  • Real & simple ingredients. Nothing artificial in this just ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
  • Kid-friendly. My boy gobbled this down and were eating the leftovers the next day.
  • Great for meal-prep. This is protein packed and warms up great the next day. Make it for a quick lunch option.

Ingredients You’ll Need

a flat lay of the ingredients needed for the recipe
  • Ground Beef: The hearty, protein-packed base that makes this pasta filling and family-friendly.
  • Yellow Onion: Adds a little sweetness and savory flavor to the beef.
  • Butter: Adds a cozy warmth and helps the beef and onions cook.
  • Garlic: A simple way to add lots of flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: Adds richness and depth without making the pasta overly tomato-y.
  • Italian Seasoning: An easy blend of herbs that brings everything together.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds another layer of savory flavor.
  • Onion Powder: Boosts the overall flavor of the sauce.
  • Salt + Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that make all the other flavors shine.
  • Beef Broth: Cooks the pasta while adding much more flavor than water.
  • Milk: Helps create the creamy sauce while keeping it from feeling too heavy.
  • Pasta: Pick your favorite to hold onto all that creamy sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Gives the sauce its rich, silky finish.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Makes the sauce cheesy, creamy, and extra kid-friendly.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory finish and even more flavor.

How to Make One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe details.

  • ground beef and onions cooking in butter in a blue stock pan
  • tomato paste and garlic added to the ground beef mixture in the stock pan
  • all the pasta and liquids added to the mixture in the stock pan with a wooden spoon
  • cheeses and cream added to the mixture in the stock pan with a wooden spoon

  1. Brown the ground beef. Add the butter, ground beef and diced onion to a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
  2. Add the seasonings. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, just until everything is fragrant.
  3. Add the pasta and liquids. Pour in the beef broth and milk, then stir in the uncooked pasta. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  4. Cook the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pan. Simmer for about 10–13 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  5. Make it creamy. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Let it rest and serve. Remove the pan from the heat and let the pasta sit for 3–5 minutes so the sauce can thicken slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Use a deep skillet or Dutch oven. You’ll want plenty of room for the pasta to cook right in the sauce.

Don’t skip the tomato paste. It adds a rich, savory flavor without making the dish taste overly tomato-y.

Stir the pasta often. This keeps it from sticking to the bottom as it cooks.

Add broth as needed. If the liquid cooks down before the pasta is tender, add a small splash of beef broth.

Freshly shred your cheese. It melts more smoothly and gives you the creamiest sauce.

Keep the heat low when adding cheese. This helps prevent the sauce from becoming grainy.

Let it rest before serving. Just 3–5 minutes helps the creamy sauce thicken and cling to the pasta.

How to Store & Reheat

To store: Let your pasta cool completely, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of milk or beef broth before reheating to loosen the sauce and bring back that texture.

Serving Suggestions

This is a meal all on its own but I recommend serving with a salad or some veggies for a well rounded meal. You could always add some garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce.

the pasta in a white bowl with a silver spoon on a cutting board with a plaid napkin, little bowl of parmesan and the rest of the pasta in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Spinach, peas, finely diced bell peppers, or mushrooms would all be easy additions. Stir spinach or peas in toward the end so they don’t overcook.

Give it a few minutes! The sauce will continue to thicken as the pasta rests. The starch released from the pasta also helps create that creamy consistency.

Yes. You can replace the heavy cream with additional whole milk, although the finished sauce won’t be quite as rich and creamy.

Simply add a splash of beef broth or milk and continue cooking until the pasta is tender.

More One-Pot Recipes You’ll Love

The One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta in the pot with a wooden spoon sitting on a cutting board with a small bowl of parmesan and a plaid napkin next to it

One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

This One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is an easy family dinner made with ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce. Everything cooks together in one pan for a cozy weeknight meal with simple ingredients and easy cleanup.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Creamy Ground Beef Pasta, One-Pot Ground Beef Pasta
Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 12 ounces pasta
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter, ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking apart the beef as it cooks, until browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess grease if needed.
  2. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and milk. Stir in the uncooked pasta and bring everything to a gentle boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover. Cook for 10–13 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add a splash of additional broth if needed as the pasta cooks.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Remove from the heat and let the pasta rest for 3–5 minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Short pasta shapes work best because they cook evenly and hold onto the creamy sauce.
  • Freshly shredded cheese will melt more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
  • The sauce may look slightly thin immediately after cooking. Letting the pasta rest for a few minutes will help it thicken.
  • Different pasta shapes can absorb different amounts of liquid. Add a splash of beef broth if the pan becomes dry before the pasta is tender.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
  • Add a splash of milk or broth before reheating to help make the sauce creamy again.

Did you make this recipe?

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