Description

This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender ground beef simmered with aromatic garlic, onions, and spices, tossed together with perfectly cooked ziti pasta and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Ideal for a satisfying dinner, this recipe balances hearty protein with gooey cheese and fresh parsley for a comforting and easy-to-make dish.

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked ziti pasta (see Notes)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Salt to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reducing the cooking time by one minute for optimal texture. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining without rinsing to retain starches for the sauce.
Brown Ground Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes until it starts to brown. Then reduce the heat to medium.
Simmer Beef Mixture: Season the beef with salt and black pepper. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, chili flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water (or plain water). Stir everything to combine and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until the meat is tender and flavors have melded.
Toss Pasta and Melt Cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, cover with a lid, and allow the cheese to melt for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with extra parsley before serving.

Notes

For best results, cook the ziti pasta just shy of al dente and reserve pasta water to enhance the sauce’s texture.
Adjust the amount of crushed red chili flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit completely if desired.
Using fresh parsley adds brightness, but feel free to substitute with dried parsley if needed.
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Serve immediately for best cheesy melt and flavor.