One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Zucchini Pasta
Indulge in the comforting delight of One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Zucchini Pasta, a dish that combines rich flavors and creamy textures while keeping dinner prep to a minimum. This savory meal features lean ground beef, fresh zucchini, and your choice of pasta, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, it’s not just delicious but nutritious too—grated zucchini sneaks in extra veggies without compromising on taste. In under 30 minutes, you can serve a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 lbs short cut pasta (like penne or rotini)
- 2 zucchini, grated (about 2 cups)
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 3 cups milk (any kind)
- 3–4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and chopped onions, seasoning with salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook until the beef is browned.
- Stir in the dry pasta, grated zucchini, beef broth, milk, and ketchup. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Lower the heat to simmer and cover partially; cook for about 10–12 minutes until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy; adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve hot with fresh parsley on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg