Description
Your Wholesome Ingredient Checklist. Ditch the box with this from-scratch, one-pot beef & pasta dinner. Grated zucchini melts into a creamy, cheesy sauce for extra moisture and nutrients—family-friendly, fast, and budget-wise.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
The Base
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- kosher salt and black pepper (to taste, for seasoning at every stage)
- 1 lb short cut pasta (elbows, shells, or rotini)
- 1 cup grated zucchini (from 1 zucchini; melts into sauce)
The Savory Sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole, 2%, or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 Tbsp ketchup (adds tangy sweetness)
- 1 1/2-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded melts best)
For Garnish
- fresh parsley, chopped (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown beef & onion: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add ground beef and chopped onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook ~10 minutes, breaking up meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.
- Toast spices: Stir in chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder; cook 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant to bloom the spices.
- Add pasta, zucchini & liquids: Add uncooked pasta and grated zucchini; toss to coat. Pour in beef broth, milk, and ketchup; stir well and season with another pinch of salt.
- Simmer to al dente: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to maintain a steady simmer. Cook 5–8 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is al dente and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Make it cheesy: Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar until fully melted and sauce is thick and glossy.
- Garnish & serve: Divide among bowls and top with chopped parsley. Enjoy warm.
Notes
One-pot wonder: Recipes labeled “one-pot” often see higher engagement because they solve the weeknight cleanup problem. For a lighter sauce, use 1 1/2 cups cheese; for extra creamy, go to 2 cups. Swap in whole-wheat pasta (add a splash more broth) or gluten-free pasta (stir gently and monitor liquid).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 21
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Protein: 35
