Description
Hearty ground beef pasta skillet melts cheese and comfort into one irresistible pan of pure deliciousness. Packed with rich flavors and simple ingredients, this skillet brings family-style dining straight to your table and satisfies hungry crowds with classic, mouthwatering goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 2 cups (200g) ziti pasta, cooked
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella
Aromatic and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional, for added heat)
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
- Salt to taste
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by bringing a generously salted water pot to a rolling boil. Cook ziti for slightly less time than package directions, aiming for an al dente texture. Carefully set aside 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining, keeping the pasta unwashed to help sauce adhere effectively.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground beef, methodically breaking it into smaller fragments. Allow meat to develop a rich golden-brown color, approximately 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and season with salt and black pepper, stirring periodically to ensure uniform cooking.
- Incorporate aromatic ingredients after beef browns. Add minced garlic, diced onions, and optional chili flakes. Sauté until onions become translucent and fragrant, roughly 4-5 minutes. Pour in Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste, blending thoroughly. Sprinkle chopped parsley and allow mixture to simmer, melding flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the meat mixture, introducing reserved pasta water. Toss to ensure complete sauce coverage. Fold in first portion of mozzarella, stirring until cheese begins to melt and create a creamy consistency throughout the skillet.
- Distribute remaining mozzarella across the top of the dish. Cover skillet and let cheese transform into a bubbling, golden layer, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, garnish with additional fresh parsley, creating a vibrant finishing touch to the dish.
Notes
- Always use freshly grated cheese for maximum melting and flavor, as pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.
- Reserve pasta water strategically to control sauce consistency, adding splashes gradually to achieve desired creaminess without making the dish too watery.
- Opt for lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) to reduce excess grease while maintaining rich flavor and preventing a greasy final dish.
- Consider alternative protein options like ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or vegetarian meat substitutes for dietary flexibility without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg