Cheesy Ground Meat Pasta

Delight your taste buds with this comforting Cheesy Ground Meat Pasta, a hearty dish that's equal parts indulgent and satisfying. Featuring tender penne or fusilli enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made from ground beef or turkey, tomato, cheddar cheese, and a splash of heavy cream, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of creamy and savory. Aromatic notes of garlic, onion, oregano, and basil elevate the flavor, while a touch of Parmesan cheese adds the ultimate cheesy decadence. Ready in just 45 minutes, this quick and easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family. Serve it piping hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality meal at home. From "easy pasta recipes" to "cheesy comfort food classics," this dish checks all the boxes for a crowd-pleasing favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Pasta (penne or fusilli)
• 500 g Ground beef or turkey
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 400 g Tomato sauce
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 200 g Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
• 200 ml Heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped onions. Sauté onions for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it is well incorporated with the meat mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the tomato sauce, then season with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to heat through for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and fold in the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and integrated into the sauce.

Step 9

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the cheesy meat sauce.

Step 10

Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2041.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4159.4

Total Fat 285.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 139.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 864.3mg	0%
Sodium 5465.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 195.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.5g	0%
Total Sugars 22.2g
Protein 190.8g	0%

Vitamin D 42.9IU	0%
Calcium 2216.5mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 2368.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 19.0%