Homemade One Pot Cheesy Pasta

Name: Homemade One Pot Cheesy Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup whole milk; 2 cups dried macaroni noodles; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; Salt and pepper to taste

This homemade version of the classic boxed meal is creamy, cheesy, and comes together in just one pot.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· August 3, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is something so comforting about a big bowl of cheesy pasta with ground beef. This recipe is a favorite in my house because it is quick to make and uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It is much tastier than the boxed versions and you get to control exactly what goes into it.

My best tip for this dish is to make sure you stir the pasta often while it simmers. Because it cooks right in the sauce, you want to keep it moving so nothing sticks to the bottom of your pan. If the sauce gets a little too thick before the pasta is tender, just add a splash of water or broth.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 cup whole milk
2 cups dried macaroni noodles
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Place a large skillet or pot over medium heat and brown the ground beef until it is cooked through. Drain any excess fat if needed.
2
Add the onion to the skillet and cook until it is soft, then stir in the minced garlic for about one minute.
3
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and garlic powder until the meat is well coated.
4
Pour in the beef broth and the milk. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
5
Add the dried macaroni noodles to the pan. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta cooks evenly.
6
Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed, remove the pan from the heat.
7
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

💡 Tips

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you find the pasta soaks up too much sauce while in the fridge, just add a tiny splash of milk when you reheat it to bring back that creamy texture.

#comfort food #one pot meal #family dinner #pasta

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