This Homemade Cheesy Ground Beef & Rotini Skillet

 is the ultimate one-pan comfort meal. It’s essentially an elevated, fresher version of a classic hamburger helper—rich, cheesy, and much more satisfying.

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) ground beef

8 oz (225g) rotini pasta (uncooked)

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups beef broth

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp smoked paprika

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to break it into small crumbles.

Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess grease.

Simmer: Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked rotini to the skillet. Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Make it Cheesy: Turn off the heat. Stir in 1 ½ cups of the cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top and cover for a minute to let it melt.

Pro Tips

Extra Veggies: You can easily sneak in some finely chopped bell peppers or fresh spinach during the simmering stage.

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.

Consistency: If the sauce is too thick after the pasta cooks, splash in a little extra broth or water to loosen it up.