Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Ground Meat Pasta recipe—a hearty, flavor-packed dish that's perfect for weekday dinners or casual gatherings. Featuring tender penne or fusilli pasta smothered in a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce infused with savory ground beef or turkey, aromatic garlic, and flavorful herbs like oregano and basil, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. A rich blend of cheddar cheese and heavy cream adds luscious creaminess, while a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley elevates the final presentation. Quick to prepare in just 45 minutes, this easy-to-make pasta dish is ideal for serving up to four hungry diners. Let this cheesy, meaty creation become a staple on your dinner table!
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped onions. Sauté onions for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it is well incorporated with the meat mixture.
Pour in the tomato sauce, then season with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to heat through for an additional 2 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and fold in the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and integrated into the sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the cheesy meat sauce.
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Calories |
4159 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 285.3 g | 366% | |
| Saturated Fat | 139.1 g | 696% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 864 mg | 288% | |
| Sodium | 5465 mg | 238% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 195.6 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.5 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.2 g | ||
| Protein | 190.8 g | 382% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 2216 mg | 170% | |
| Iron | 21.5 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 2368 mg | 50% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.