If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting dinner that’s both ridiculously easy and guaranteed to make your family swoon, this One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta is about to become your go-to. Imagine tender beef, perfectly cooked noodles, and pockets of gooey cheddar cheese, all wrapped up in that craveable ranch flavor—we’re talking serious weeknight magic here. The best part? You’ll only need one pot, so cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or hungry teens, this crowd-pleaser is sure to earn you rave reviews at the dinner table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every delicious bite of this recipe is powered by straightforward, fuss-free ingredients that bring maximum flavor with minimal effort. Each component has its own crucial role, whether it’s lending creaminess, boldness, or a touch of herby sparkle to your One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta.
- Olive oil: A splash to start things off, ensuring your ground beef browns evenly and adds subtle richness.
- Ground beef: The savory backbone—choose lean or regular, depending on your preference for flavor and juiciness.
- Ranch seasoning mix: The secret weapon! It infuses everything with that distinctive tangy, herbed ranch flavor.
- Garlic powder: Delivers an aromatic depth that rounds out the sauce beautifully.
- Onion powder: Adds underlying sweetness and boosts the savory notes in your pasta.
- Black pepper: For the tiniest hint of heat and balance.
- Beef broth: Keeps the pasta tender as it cooks and deepens the umami in every serving.
- Condensed cheddar cheese soup: Provides unmistakable creaminess and a punch of cheddar that melts right into the sauce.
- Milk: Helps smooth out the sauce and ties all the cheesy flavors together.
- Uncooked short pasta (rotini or penne): The ideal shape for hugging onto all that thick, cheesy, ranch-coated goodness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: For crazy-good stretchiness and super cheesy bites.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top, it brings a pop of color and a fresh note to the finished dish.
How to Make One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating that olive oil in your largest, sturdiest pot or a deep skillet over medium heat. Toss in your ground beef and use a spoon to break it up as it cooks. Give it a little patience—let it brown fully, which unlocks loads of meaty flavor. If you have excess fat after browning, feel free to drain it off at this point so your One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta stays perfectly balanced, not greasy.
Step 2: Add the Flavor Boosters
Once your beef is cooked, shower in the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir everything together until those spices and herbs coat the beef, infusing your kitchen with the scent of what’s soon to be everyone’s favorite pasta dinner.
Step 3: Pour in the Liquids and Pasta
Next goes in the beef broth, condensed cheddar cheese soup, milk, and your dry pasta. Make sure to give everything a good stir so your noodles are submerged. This is the magical one-pot trick: the pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that ranchy, cheesy, beefy flavor.
Step 4: Simmer Until Perfect
Crank up the heat to bring your pot to a gentle boil, then turn it down to low, pop on a lid, and let things simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Give it a stir every so often—this helps the pasta cook evenly and ensures nothing sticks to the bottom. You’ll know it’s ready when the noodles are tender and the sauce is wonderfully thickened.
Step 5: Stir in the Cheese
Turn off the heat and scatter in the shredded cheddar. Stir until it’s fully melted and the sauce turns wonderfully creamy and luscious. Let your finished One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta sit (lid on) for a couple of minutes—this little pause lets the flavors mingle and the sauce thicken just right.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
If you’re feeling fancy, top everything off with a sprinkle of bright green parsley. Serve up generous portions while it’s piping hot and dig in!
How to Serve One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta
Garnishes
The easiest upgrade? A scatter of chopped fresh parsley just before serving. It’s not just pretty—it adds a hit of freshness that balances the rich, cheesy sauce. For more pizzazz, try a dusting of extra shredded cheddar or a few sliced green onions on top.
Side Dishes
Since One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta is so hearty, keep sides light. A crisp green salad dressed with lemony vinaigrette or some simple steamed green beans perfectly complement the creamy pasta. If you want something more, a loaf of crusty bread is always a great move for scooping up any cheesy sauce left on your plate!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this pasta in individual mini skillets or wide soup mugs for a cozy feel. Feeding a crowd? Garnish one big pot in the center of the table and let everyone help themselves. Want to impress kids? Top bowls with fun-shaped crackers or serve alongside ranch-dusted popcorn. This dish plays well with any vibe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and still taste fantastic when reheated. The flavors even deepen a little overnight, which makes for particularly delicious lunches the next day.
Freezing
If you want to stash some away for a future busy night, you can absolutely freeze this pasta. Portion it out and place in freezer-safe containers. For best quality, use within 1 to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the smoothest texture.
Reheating
To reheat, spoon the pasta into a pot or microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of milk or broth to help loosen up the sauce. Warm gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until it returns to its original creamy glory.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work beautifully in place of beef and absorb the ranchy-cheesy flavors just as well. You can even mix up the meat-to-veggie ratio if you want a lighter variation.
Can I add vegetables to this pasta?
Definitely! Toss in steamed broccoli or peas toward the end of cooking for a boost of color and nutrition. You could also stir in a handful of baby spinach until wilted for a pop of green.
What kind of pasta works best in One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta?
Short pasta shapes like rotini or penne are best since they hold onto the cheesy sauce. If you only have macaroni or shells on hand, they’ll work too—just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Is One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta spicy?
It’s very family friendly as written! If you’re craving a kick, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes or drizzle in a little hot sauce to taste at the end.
How can I make this meal more budget-friendly?
You can use store-brand ingredients without any loss of flavor. Substituting some or all the beef with beans is another great cost-saving option, and the ranch and cheddar will still shine.
Final Thoughts
If you’re yearning for a dish that’s equal parts cozy, flavorful, and easy enough for even your busiest weeknights, you truly can’t go wrong with One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta. Invite your loved ones to the table, serve up big bowls, and watch how quickly this one disappears. Trust me: after the first bite, this cheesy, ranch-inspired meal will work its way into your regular dinner rotation!
Print
One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and a hint of ranch flavor. This easy stovetop meal is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Remaining Ingredients:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (10-ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups uncooked short pasta (like rotini or penne)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add beef broth, cheddar soup, milk, and pasta. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheddar until melted. Let sit to thicken. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef
- Add steamed broccoli or peas for extra vegetables
- For a spicy kick, add hot sauce or red pepper flakes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
