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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Beef / Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Published December 22, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Ground beef pasta skillet with text overlay.
Ground beef pasta skillet with text overlay.
Two images of a ground beef pasta skillet with text overlay between them.
Close up of a wood spoon in a ground beef pasta skillet with text overlay.

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is an easy dinner recipe that is made with simple, but flavorful ingredients. This family-friendly meal is the perfect choice for busy weeknights.

A ground beef pasta skillet on a marble background with tomatoes and parsley around it.

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Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is based off of my poplar recipe for Italian Ground Beef Cauliflower Skillet, which was created as a low carb dinner option for people following specific diets, such as keto. This recipe calls for pasta and doesn’t fall under those same dietary restrictions.

The flavor profile of both is similar, albeit, slightly different. Beef is cooked in aromatics and vegetables before pasta, tomato sauce and beef stock are added. The dish is finished by topping it with mozzarella cheese which melts into creamy perfection right before serving.

If you enjoy easy skillet recipes like this one, you may also like Cheesy Taco Skillet with Rice, Italian Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet, and Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken and Orzo Pasta.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a quick and easy one-pan meal. You only need 10 ingredients and around 30 minutes to prepare it. Clean up is also a piece of cake!

It’s super flavorful. Using a rich beef stock, instead of water, to cook the pasta in helps to carry the meaty flavor throughout the dish.

Kids love this meal. It’s somewhat reminiscent of spaghetti, a childhood favorite. You can also make this meal gluten free simply by using gluten free pasta and ensuring that any store-bought beef stock is gluten free, as well.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ingredients

Ingredients to make a ground beef pasta skillet on a marble background with text overlay.

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • salt and pepper 
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I use lean ground beef)
  • 1 pound dry pasta
  • 2-3 cups beef stock
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • fresh parsley, optional for garnish

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Dice the onion and red pepper and mince the garlic.

Create!

Onion, pepper and garlic cooking in a black skillet.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium. Add the olive oil, then the onion and red pepper. Season with just a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3-5 minutes. The onion will turn more translucent as it softens.

Stir in the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.

Ground beef, pepper, onion and garlic cooking in a black skillet.

Raise the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a meat chopper or spatula, until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Ground beef and pasta in a black skillet.

Add the pasta, 2 cups of the beef stock, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Allow to cook until the pasta is al dente (soft but with a little bite to it still). You can add more stock as needed.

Ground beef pasta skillet topped with mozzarella cheese in a black skillet.

Top with mozzarella cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes.

Present!

Close up of a wood spoon in a ground beef pasta skillet.

Garnish with minced fresh parsley, if desired.

Serve warm.

Tips and Techniques

  • Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in the pan.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.

FAQ’s

Can You Substitute Ground Turkey For Ground Beef?

Yes ground turkey is a great substitute for the ground beef in this recipe. You could also use ground chicken or ground bison.

What Vegetables Can You Add To A Ground Beef Skillet?

Vegetables that would work really well in a ground beef skillet are onions, shallots, red and/or green bell peppers, and mushrooms. Depending on the type of skillet cauliflower, broccoli or even green beans could work out great too!

More Beef Skillet Recipes

Cheesy Barbecue Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet
Everyone should try this simple, family friendly recipe for a Keto Cheesy Barbecue Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet. Not only is this one pan meal quick and easy to prepare, but it is also flavorful, naturally gluten free, and low carb.
Get The Recipe
One Pan Beef Enchilada Pasta
Beef Enchilada Pasta is made with ground beef, enchilada sauce, seasonings, and cheddar cheese all in just one pot. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s quick and easy for busy weeknights.
Get The Recipe
Side view of Beef Enchilada Pasta in a black pan with a blue and white towel in front of it with a fork being put in to grab a bite
Mongolian Ground Beef
This recipe for Mongolian Ground Beef is quick, easy, and very flavorful. The dish takes less than 30 minutes to make, may be easily adapted into a gluten free version, and tastes better than take out. The sweet and spicy homemade sauce can even be made milder if you prefer.
Get The Recipe
Close up of Mongolian ground beef on rice with broccoli in the background.

Love this Ground Beef Pasta Skillet recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Close up of a wood spoon in a ground beef pasta skillet.
Print

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is an easy dinner recipe that is made with simple, but flavorful ingredients. This family-friendly meal is the perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Beef
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 630kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion (finely diced)
  • 1 red pepper (finely diced)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound dry pasta
  • 2-3 cups beef stock
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • fresh parsely (minced, optional garnish)

Instructions

  • Heat a large, deep skillet over medium. Add the olive oil, then the onion and red pepper. Season with just a pinch of salt and pepper.
    1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 onion, 1 red pepper, salt, pepper
  • Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3-5 minutes. The onion will turn more translucent as it softens. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
    4 cloves garlic
  • Raise the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up with a meat chopper or spatula, until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
    1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • Add the pasta, 2 cups of the beef stock, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Allow to cook until the pasta is al dente (soft but with a little bite to it still). You can add more stock as needed.
    1 pound dry pasta, 2-3 cups beef stock, 15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Top with mozzarella cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes.
    1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • Garnish with minced fresh parsley, if desired.
    fresh parsely

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in the pan.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 630kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 751mg | Potassium: 1000mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1132IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 5mg

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Filed Under: Beef, Main Dish, Recipes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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