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A steaming one pot beef cheddar ranch dish with melted cheese

One Pot Beef Cheddar Ranch Pasta

This one-pot beef cheddar ranch pasta is a comforting and easy meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Ground beef, pasta, and a creamy ranch sauce come together in a single pot for minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works great)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • onion, chopped (optional, but adds flavor)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or medium shells (uncooked)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown the ground beef, breaking it up until crumbled. If desired, add chopped onion during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  2. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in beef broth and milk, then stir in uncooked macaroni, ranch seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, use good quality ground beef. Adjust seasoning to your preference. If you don't have a Dutch oven, a large, heavy-bottom pot with a lid will work just as well.