One-Pan Beef and Macaroni Skillet

Name: One-Pan Beef and Macaroni Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked; 8 oz can tomato sauce; 3 cups beef broth; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tbsp milk; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

This one-pan beef and macaroni skillet combines ground beef, uncooked elbow macaroni, and tomato sauce in a single skillet for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️One-pan meal 🏷️Beef and macaroni 🏷️Skillet dinner 🏷️Comfort food Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️Budget-friendly

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
8 oz can tomato sauce
3 cups beef broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishoptional

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
2
Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onions are softened.
3
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Stir in the uncooked macaroni, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Press the macaroni down to ensure it's submerged in the liquid.
5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and milk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
7
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef fully and drain excess fat before adding aromatics to prevent a greasy final dish.
Stir the pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking in the sauce.
Add cheese in the last minute of cooking and stir off heat so it melts smoothly without separating.
Let the skillet rest 2–3 minutes before serving so the pasta fully absorbs remaining liquid.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or Italian sausage (use same weight)
Tomato sauce → marinara or crushed tomatoes (8 oz equivalent)
Elbow macaroni → ditalini, small shells, or penne (2.5 cups uncooked)
Cheddar → mozzarella or American cheese (4 oz for melting)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, adding a splash of water if needed.