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Best Cozy Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Casserole – Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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This one-skillet casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a creamy, melty cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty, satisfying meal without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces, freshly shredded)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: fresh chopped parsley or green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion to the empty space and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir everything together.
  3. Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Sprinkle the chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir to coat. Pour in the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chiles. Let it bubble for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta shells and beef broth to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Add the Cream Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Drop in the cubed cream cheese and stir gently until it melts into the pasta mixture.
  6. Melt the Cheddar: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. For a golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Shred your own cheddar for the smoothest melt. Cook pasta to al dente to avoid mushiness. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. For a spicy kick, add a diced jalapeño or cayenne pepper. To make it vegetarian, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef skillet casserole, cheesy pasta, 30-minute dinner, one-skillet meal, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner

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