Description
Savory ground beef pasta blends Italian-inspired comfort with hearty, melted cheese goodness. Rich flavors combine in this simple, satisfying meal that will quickly become a family favorite for you.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 3 cups (711 milliliters) medium pasta shells or rotini
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) petite diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Velveeta cheese
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups (651 milliliters) chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) pasta sauce
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Warm a spacious pan over medium-high flame and thoroughly cook the ground beef until no pink remains, eliminating any accumulated grease.
- Pour chicken broth, diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, and onion powder into the pan with the beef, creating a harmonious mixture.
- Introduce pasta shells directly into the simmering liquid, ensuring even distribution throughout the sauce.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the pasta to gently cook, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and promote uniform cooking.
- Monitor the pasta’s texture, aiming for a tender yet firm consistency, typically requiring 12-15 minutes of cooking time.
- Dice Velveeta cheese into small, uniform cubes and sprinkle them across the surface of the pasta mixture.
- Gently fold the cheese into the hot pasta, stirring continuously until it transforms into a smooth, velvety sauce that coats every morsel.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest momentarily, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken before serving.
- Transfer to serving dishes, garnishing with optional fresh herbs if desired, and savor the rich, comforting blend of flavors.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting dish.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni for varied texture and visual appeal.
- Enhance nutrition by sneaking in finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the beef browning stage.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or lentil pasta, which adds extra protein and maintains a similar consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg