Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta in One Pot
Oh, buddy, this is going to be great! Imagine a rich, cheesy pasta meal with tasty meat, a splash of tangy ranch, and all the creamy comfort you want, all made in one pot. Yes, ONE pot—because who has time to wash more dishes? This dish will save your time on busy weeknights and have everyone at the table say, “Wow, this is great!” Get your pot and let’s make some magic in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta in One Pot
- Easy and Quick: It takes less than an hour to make and serve. Little work, lots of taste.
- One-Pot Wonder: Less work and fewer dishes. For the most convenience, everything cooks in one pot.
- Savory meat, melty cheese, and tangy ranch seasoning? What a flavor explosion! You’ll love this flavor trifecta.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is sure to please everyone, from finicky kids to adults who love fine food.
You may easily add vegetables, change the spices, or make it spicier to fit your tastes.
Things you need
- ○ Pasta: The filling basis that takes in all the tasty ingredients. Choose shells, penne, or any other form you like.
- ○ Ground Beef: The main part of the recipe, it’s rich and delicious. For a balanced richness, pick lean ground beef.
- ○ Cheddar Cheese: The creamy, gooey richness that makes everything taste better. It tastes better with sharp cheddar.
- ○ Ranch seasoning: is the hidden ingredient that gives it its acidic, herby kick. This is the element that makes this spaghetti taste great and last forever.
- ○ Chicken broth: adds flavor and helps the pasta cook to the right level of tenderness.
- ○ Milk: To make things creamy and balanced. Whole milk is ideal, but you can use any kind you have.
- ○ Butter: A little bit of richness to make every bite better.
- ○ Onion: For a pleasant and fragrant base.
- ○ Garlic: What kind of comfort food would it be without that garlicky goodness?
How to Do It
- Step 1: Cook the beef until it is brown.
Put some butter in a big saucepan or deep skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ground beef and sauté it until it is brown and crumbly. Get rid of any extra grease. - Step 2: Cook the Aromatics in a Pan
Add the garlic and onion, and stir until they are tender and smell good. This step gives your food a tasty base. - Step 3: Put in the liquids
Add the milk and chicken broth. Stir it well to get the saucepan clean, being sure to mix in all the tasty brown bits. - Step 4: Add the pasta and seasoning and mix them in.
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the pasta and add it. Mix well so that every piece of spaghetti is covered in the tasty liquid.
- Step 5: Boil the Pasta
Let everything come to a boil, then turn the heat down so it simmers gently. Cover and cook, stirring every so often, until the pasta is soft and has soaked up most of the liquid. - Step 6: Add the cheese and let it melt.
Turn down the heat and add the cheddar cheese. Watch as it turns the food into a creamy, beautiful work of art. - Step 7: Enjoy and serve
Put the pasta in dishes, add some fresh herbs if you want to be fancy, and eat!
How to Serve Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta in One Pot
- A crisp Caesar or mixed green salad goes great with this dish.
- Garlic bread is great for soaking up any cheesy sauce that is left over.
- Honestly, this dish is so filling and delightful that it doesn’t require anything else!
More Advice
- Make it vegetarian by using mushrooms or plant-based crumbles instead of ground beef.
- Boost the Nutrition: Toss in spinach, peas, or sliced bell peppers toward the end of cooking.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for some heat.
- Storage: Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of milk to recover the creamy smoothness.
- Double the Batch: Great for meal prep or serving a crowd.
Questions and Answers
- Q1: Can I use a different cheese?
- A1: Absolutely! Mozzarella or Monterey Jack would be wonderful choices.
- Q2: Can I swap the ranch seasoning?
- A2: If you don’t have ranch seasoning, try a blend of dry dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.
- Q3: Is this dish freezer-friendly?
- A3: It can be frozen, although the texture of the pasta can soften. Reheat gently and add a little milk to freshen.
- Q4: Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
- A4: Yes, use gluten-free pasta and make sure your ranch seasoning is gluten-free as well.
- Q5: What’s the optimal pasta shape for this recipe?
- A5: Shells, penne, or fusilli work excellent as they hold the sauce well.
- Q6: Can I make it spicier?
- A6: Add cayenne pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy bite.
- Q7: Can I make it dairy-free?
- A7: Yes! Use plant-based milk and cheese for a dairy-free alternative.
- Q8: What protein substitutes may I use?
- A8: Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles are wonderful possibilities.
- Q9: Can I prepare it ahead of time?
- A9: Cook the beef and chop the veggies in advance. Assemble and cook when ready to serve.
- Q10: What cookware works best?
- A10: A large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep pan facilitates even cooking.
Description
Indulge in this creamy, cheesy, and flavorful One-Pot Beef & Cheddar Ranch Pasta! Perfect for hectic weeknights, this recipe blends delicate pasta, savory ground beef, and a spicy ranch spice into one tempting dish. With minimum cleanup, it’s likely to be a family favorite!
- ○ 1 lb ground beef
- ○ 1 small onion, chopped
- ○ 2 cups beef broth
- ○ 1 cup milk
- ○ 8 oz pasta (e.g., rotini or penne)
- ○ 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
- ○ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ○ 1 tbsp olive oil
- ○ Salt & pepper, to taste
Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion, cooking until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain extra fat.
Stir in beef broth, milk, ranch seasoning, and macaroni. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a low simmer. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring periodically, until pasta is cooked.
Remove from heat and toss in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra taste, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or green onions.
- You can replace ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Adjust the amount of cheddar cheese to suit your taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dish
- Calories: ~450 kcal
- Sugar: ~4 g
- Sodium: ~950 mg
- Fat: ~22 g
- Saturated Fat: ~10 g
- About 10 g of unsaturated fat
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: about 40 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Protein: ~28 g
- Cholesterol: ~80 mg