This Cheesy Italian Pasta is one of my new favorite meals. In these wild and crazy times, the last thing that I have the energy for is to create a huge and extensive meal. And once I realized that this simple pasta dish was fast and simple, I knew it was about to become one of my favorite recipes to make.
There is a big agreeance in our house that this dish needs to be made more often. And with how simple and easy it is, I can say that I’m 100% fine with that! The fewer steps and cleanup that I have to do, the better.
Plus, since it makes such a large portion, I love having leftovers for several days, too! This simple pasta dish really does make meal time and planning a breeze!
Can you use another type of ground meat in this recipe besides beef?
Of course! If you’re trying to cut out the fat or lower the fat content a bit, why not use another option of ground meat? You can opt for ground turkey or ground chicken as a simple substitute. Just make certain that you cook up the chicken really well so that it’s fully cooked in this dish. That is one mistake that you don’t want to make.
Could this dish be vegetarian?
Absolutely! If you don’t want to add in the meat, you don’t have to. This dish is so full of veggies that you can easily keep it that way. And if you want to add in even more veggies, you absolutely can. That’s just another one of the reasons that I really, really like this pasta recipe. It’s so versatile in things that you can remove and take out.
Are there any toppings that you can add to this cheesy pasta dish?
Since there is already a bunch of cheese and sour cream mixed in to the recipe, that part is pretty much covered. But if you like cheese and sour cream a lot, you can add it again on the top! Other fun topping ideas for this pasta recipe can be cilantro, fresh Parmesan cheese, chives, onions, shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, and anything else that you can think of.
I’m a big fan of adding a little heat and spice to my dishes too so a couple of dashes of hot sauce will do this dish wonders!
Will this work with other types of pasta?
It will. Elbow pasta is the easiest since it’s small and simple but if you have other pasta types and shapes, you can easily use that instead. Just make certain to cook the pasta as it is recommended because different types of pasta do require different types of cooking times.
How do you store leftovers of this simple pasta recipe?
More than likely, you’re going to have some leftovers since this makes such a huge serving. And while it’s great to feed a large family, your family just might not be able to eat it all.
If that’s the case, don’t fret. All you need to do is store it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It should be fine for up to 3 days to reheat and enjoy.
When it’s time to reheat to eat, just pop it in the microwave for a short amount of time. And what’s the harm in adding on even more cheese to make it taste new and fresh? Because seriously…you can never have too much cheese.
Ingredients Needed To Make Cheesy Italian Pasta
- Ground Beef
- Onion and garlic
- Oregano
- Basil
- Pepper
- Red crushed peppers
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Diced tomatoes
- Rotel®
- Beef broth
- Mozzarella cheese
- Sour cream (optional)
- Large elbow pasta
(Actual measurements are in the recipe card below.)
How To Make Cheesy Italian Pasta
- In a large skillet or frying pan, add ground beef and onions. Cook until brown, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional two minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, Rotel, beef broth, and seasonings, stir, cover and simmer while pasta is cooking.
- Cook pasta in boiling water for 10 minutes, drain and then add to meat mixture. Stir until combined then add sour cream and shredded cheese. Mix well and serve.
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More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Cheesy Italian Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounce tomato sauce
- 12 ounce tomato paste
- 15 ounce diced tomatoes
- 10 ounce Rotel
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red crushed peppers
- ½ cup sour cream
- 16 ounce large elbow macaroni pasta,
- 4 cups Mozzarella cheese, more if desired
Instructions
- In a large skillet or frying pan, add ground beef and onions. Cook until brown, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional two minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, Rotel, beef broth, and seasonings, stir, cover, simmer while pasta is cooking.
- Cook pasta in boiling water for 10 minutes, drain and add to meat mixture. Stir until combined.
- Finally, add sour cream and shredded cheese. Mix well and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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