One-Pan Ground Beef Pasta Skillet Dinner Recipe

Ground beef pasta is a quick, one-skillet dinner the whole family will enjoy. Tender rotini tossed in a creamy, cheesy ground beef sauce comes together in about 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

This easy skillet meal is a new favorite for weeknights—simple to make, satisfying, and kid-approved.

Why I love this recipe

This dish follows the same family-friendly, hands-off approach as other ground-beef skillet favorites. It’s straightforward, uses familiar pantry ingredients, and delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

• Uses only a few common ingredients
• Flavorful aromatics—onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning—build great depth
• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Quick cleanup since most of the work happens in a single skillet

Ingredients

• 1–1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (or substitute)
• 16 ounces rotini (or your preferred pasta)

Step by step

The steps are simple and forgiving. If you prefer, you can print the recipe card for reference.

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, loosening any browned bits for extra flavor.
6. Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the sour cream, drained pasta, and shredded cheese until everything is well combined and creamy.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Tips for best results

• Use a large skillet to avoid overflowing when you combine the pasta and sauce.
• Don’t skip the deglazing step—those browned bits add concentrated flavor to the sauce.

Recipe variations and substitutions

• Swap tomato sauce for marinara—add extra seasoning if needed.
• Add sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers when cooking the onion for more vegetables.
• Stir in diced tomatoes for extra texture and brightness.
• Use mozzarella, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend instead of Colby Jack.
• Replace sour cream with cream of mushroom soup, heavy cream, or half-and-half for a different creaminess.
• Top with fresh basil or grated Parmesan before serving.
• Try different pasta shapes—macaroni, penne, or bow ties work well.
• Omit the cheese entirely for a lighter version.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating—I love hearing how it turned out!

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet Dinner

---

5 from 2 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings