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One Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta
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One Pot Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta

Ground beef, ditalini pasta, and fresh broccoli cook together in one pan before being finished with heavy cream and sharp cheddar cheese. An easy, creamy dinner with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup.
Course Dinner, Lunch, One Pot Meal
Cuisine American
Keyword Beef and cheddar pasta, cheesy broccoli pasta, Ditalini pasta recipe, Easy ground beef dinner, One pot cheesy beef and broccoli pasta, One pot ground beef pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 5-6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
  • 8 ounces dry ditalini pasta
  • 1 heaping tablespoon Better Than Bouillon beef base
  • 4 cups water
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli chopped into small pieces
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a large, deep skillet or wide pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic, breaking the beef into crumbles. Season with the Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed or preferred.
  • Stir in the dry ditalini pasta. Add the beef bouillon and water, stirring well to combine.
  • Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the finely chopped broccoli, making sure the pasta and broccoli are submerged in the liquid. Cover and simmer for approximately 4 more minutes, stirring once to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli is tender.
  • Turn the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Remove from the heat and stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  • Taste and season with salt and additional black pepper as needed. Serve warm. The sauce will thicken as it sits.

Notes

Recipe Notes

  • Broth substitution: Use 4 cups beef broth in place of both the water and beef bouillon.
  • Broccoli: Chop it into small pieces so it cooks during the short simmer.
  • Cooking time: The pasta took approximately 8 minutes of simmering total. Adjust as needed for your pasta brand and stove.
  • Consistency: This dish is creamy and saucy when freshly made and thickens as it sits.
  • Leftovers: Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Add a splash of milk when reheating.

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 610
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 31 g
Fat: 38 g
Nutrition is an estimate based on six servings and approximately 85% lean ground beef without draining. Values will vary depending on the brands used, beef fat content, and whether excess grease is drained. Side dishes are not included.