Description
A creamy, comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and ranch seasoning, ready in under 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups (200g) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1.5 cups (150g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with black pepper and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving about a tablespoon.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with green chilies and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release stuck-on bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni and the entire packet of dry ranch seasoning. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Once pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, remove pot from heat.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste and add salt if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Stir frequently during pasta cooking to prevent starch from burning. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness as ranch mix and cheese are salty. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for lentils or tofu. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ranch seasoning. Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of milk or broth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: one pot pasta, beef ranch pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, ground beef recipes, comfort food, family meals