Description
Comforting one-pot beef and cheddar ranch pasta delivers hearty ranch-infused flavors that mingle perfectly with tender beef and creamy cheese. Convenient preparation and rich taste make this dish an ideal weeknight dinner for families craving delicious, satisfying meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (453 g) ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
Cooking Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 g) pasta (rotini or penne)
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet (28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm a spacious pot over medium flame, drizzle olive oil, then introduce ground beef and finely chopped onion. Sauté until meat turns golden brown and onions become translucent, carefully eliminating any accumulated grease.
- Pour beef broth, milk, and ranch seasoning into the pot. Gently cascade pasta into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution. Elevate heat to create a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the pot and allow contents to meld together, stirring intermittently. Monitor pasta’s texture, aiming for perfectly tender noodles, which typically requires 10-12 minutes of patient cooking.
- Once pasta reaches ideal consistency, transition the pot off direct heat. Introduce shredded cheddar cheese, stirring methodically until cheese transforms into a smooth, luxurious coating.
- Calibrate flavor profile by cautiously seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Perform a quick taste test to confirm balanced seasoning.
- Transfer the creamy, cheesy pasta directly from pot to serving dishes. Recommend immediate consumption while the dish maintains optimal temperature and creamy texture.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat while maintaining juicy meat texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or sharp cheddar for unique flavor twists.
- Customize the recipe by adding fresh herbs like chives or parsley for extra brightness and color.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg