Easy Pasta Skillet
This easy Pasta Skillet is a one-pan weeknight dinner your whole family will love. Made with ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, it’s a hearty and comforting meal that cooks in about 45 minutes. Perfect for busy nights, this simple skillet pasta recipe is kid-friendly, customizable, and ideal for meal prep.
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This pasta skillet recipe was a favorite of my Mom’s. She made it often through the years. My son and I love baked ziti, and this is very similar but far less work. This is a recipe the whole family will enjoy.
It’s especially less work if you use a pre-made pasta sauce. By pre-made, I mean either a store-bought jarred sauce or a homemade sauce that you may keep in the freezer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One Pan Means Easy Cleanup -No need to juggle multiple pots because everything cooks in one skillet for minimal mess.
- Family-Friendly Flavors – Classic marinara, pasta, and cheese are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Quick Weeknight Dinner – On the table in under 45 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights when time is tight. Add this recipe to your busy weeknight dinners rotation.
- Customizable Ingredients – Swap the ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, or Italian sausage. Mix up the cheese, or add veggies such as spinach.
- Hearty and Satisfying – With tender pasta, savory meat, and melty cheese, it’s comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
All of the ingredients are readily available, and you may even have them all on hand.
- Lean Ground Beef
- Water
- Ziti
- Pasta Sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese – It’s best to shred your own cheese; it melts better.
- Parmesan Cheese – Shred your own if possible.
What readers are saying:
Readers who have made Pasta Skillet are raving about it! Here is what they had to say:
“This is family comfort food right here! My kids love pasta, and I love that it’s all made in a skillet!”
“The perfect meal for those busy days when you walk in the door starving and want comfort food now.”
What can I serve with Pasta Skillet?
A Panzanella Toscana or Italian chopped salad pairs well with this dish, accompanied by some yummy garlic bread or garlic knots.
If you’re looking for a nice wine to serve with this pasta skillet, try a Chianti or Pinot Noir.
Pro Tips
- Use a large enough skillet so the liquid covers the pasta evenly.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and adding mushrooms, diced bell peppers, and onions.
- Layer the cheese. Stir in half the sauce then put the balance on top to melt.
How do you store pasta skillet?
Prepare the recipe, cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. I prefer to reheat on the stovetop.
Can I use different types of pasta for pasta skillet?
The short answer is no, not really. I’ve tried a few other shapes, penne, rotini, and rigatoni, and even ziti with ridges, don’t work well in this recipe. Stick with smooth ziti.
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Pasta Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 3 cups ziti uncooked, preferably smooth
- 1 jar 24 oz. pasta sauce, use your favorite or homemade
- 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown ground beef and drain. Return meat to skillet. Stir in water and bring to boil.
- Once mixture is boiling stir in pasta and cover immediately. Simmer on medium-low heat about 15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Add pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and gently mix. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses then cover. Cook 3 minutes longer or until mozzarella is melted.
Just what I need, easier meals made on the stovetop. Comes in handy for hot summer days. Plus, pasta is always a winner.
This is family comfort food right here! My kids love pasta and I love that it’s all made in a skillet!
Meals like this are some of my favorites! Comforting and don’t take a lot of pans.
That looks so yummy! All that pasta and meat and cheese is total comfort to us. Adding it to the must make list!
Anything one pot that is hearty and delicious is wonderful. So glad you shared this!
Perfect meal for those busy days when you walk in the door starving and want comfort food now. Thanks for sharing.