Description
Creamy, cheesy, and bold in flavor, this one-pot beef and cheddar ranch pasta is your go-to comfort food—quick, easy, and made in one pot!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 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 and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Onion
In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Add Liquids and Seasoning
Stir in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup milk. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning mix and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Add the Pasta
Stir in 8 oz of your chosen pasta. Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
Step 4: Simmer to Cook Pasta
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 5: Melt in the Cheese
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Step 6: Final Seasoning
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting results.
Ranch seasoning packets can vary in saltiness—adjust salt at the end.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: one pot pasta, beef cheddar ranch pasta, quick pasta dinner, creamy ranch beef pasta, comfort food dinner