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    Home Β» In the kitchen Β» Cheesy One Pan Mince Pasta

    Cheesy One Pan Mince Pasta

    Published: Jul 27, 2018 Β· Modified: Jun 5, 2021 by Laura Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy, cheesy one pan mince pasta is going to be your new go-to quick weeknight meal. 30 minutes from start to finish and everything (including the pasta) is cooked in one pan!

    Close up of scoop of cheesy mince pasta with herbs on top

    I have to tell you, I am seriously considering not ever posting another dinner recipe on this blog ever again. We are so outright obsessed with this cheesy one pan mince pasta that I am struggling to think how I am going to top this.

    Not only is it the ultimate comfort food situation, it also wins ALL the prizes for being speedy, cost efficient, easy to cook and ONE PAN!! We have been eating this at least once a week for the last couple of months and it's got to the point where I don't even erase it from the blackboard meal planner because it has well and truly earned a permanent spot there.

    This recipe was originally going to be a mince pasta bake - it's such a classic family meal. But then I remembered that I hate doing dishes and knew that there had to be a way to avoid the frying pan + pasta pot + baked on cheese in the oven dish situation. Lightbulb. Throw the uncooked pasta into the mince when you add the sauce ingredients, cover up and let it do it's thing.

    It's a miracle. The pasta cooks PERFECTLY in the sauce. I am never cooking pasta in a pot ever again.

    Bowl with mince pasta with pan in the background and a blue tea towel

    Expert tip

    The key is adding extra liquid to the sauce. A tin of tomatoes + a cup and a half of beef stock is the perfect amount - enough to cook the pasta and make a super delicious sauce. That's what I actually like about this over pasta bake - no risk of it drying out.

    Collage of process of making one pan mince pasta

    And if you think that you'll miss the melty cheesy goodness that comes with pasta bake, fear not. Once the pasta has cooked, throw liberal handfuls of your favourite grated cheese on top and cover it for another couple of minutes. The melty cheese that ensues will convert you if nothing else does.

    Even better, if you have a cast iron pan, throw it under the grill for a couple of minutes instead to get the cheese golden.

    Collage of process of making one pan mince pasta

    Why this recipe works

    • It is cheap to make
    • Ready in 30 minutes
    • Packed full of flavour
    • Saucy
    • Saves you dishes
    • An epic melty cheese meal

    It ticks every single dinner time box!

    It's kid friendly, farmer friendly and hungry mama friendly. What more do you need?

    Bowl with mince pasta with pan in the background and a blue tea towel

    More easy dinner ideas:

    Easy Butter Chicken

    Chicken Burrito Bowls

    Super Simple Spaghetti Bolognese

    30 Minute Stovetop Macaroni Cheese

    Mushroom Pasta with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce

    Close up of scoop of cheesy mince pasta with herbs on top

    Cheesy One Pan Mince Pasta

    This easy, cheesy one pan mince pasta is going to be your new go-to quick weeknight meal. 30 minutes from start to finish and everything (including the pasta) is cooked in one pan!
    4.65 from 220 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Laura

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • Β½ onion (chopped)
    • 2 cloves garlic (crushed or finely chopped)
    • 500 grams beef mince (ground beef)
    • 1x 400 gram tin of chopped tomatoes
    • ΒΌ cup tomato paste
    • 1 Β½ cups beef stock
    • 1 Tablespoon dried mixed herbs
    • 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
    • 2 cups dried penne pasta
    • Β½ cup grated mozzarella cheese (or any other cheese)

    Instructions

    • You will need a large frying pan with a lid for this recipe. If you don't have a pan with a lid, you can use tinfoil to cover it instead.
    • Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the beef mince/ground beef and brown (about 5 minutes)
    • Add tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, mixed herbs & worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. 
    • Reduce heat to medium/low, add the pasta and stir to combine. Cover and allow to cook for 15 minutes, stirring once during cooking.
    • After 15 minutes, remove the lid and check that the pasta is cooked. If it needs, cook for an extra couple of minutes.
    • Sprinkle the cheese on top and cover again for a further 2 minutes until the cheese has melted. If you have used an oven proof (e.g. cast iron) pan you can put it under the grill to melt the cheese if you would prefer.
    • Take the pan off the heat and serve immediately!
    Nutrition Facts
    Cheesy One Pan Mince Pasta
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    558
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    32
    g
    49
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    75
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    99
    mg
    33
    %
    Sodium
     
    666
    mg
    29
    %
    Potassium
     
    1005
    mg
    29
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    34
    g
    11
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    32
    g
    64
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    485
    IU
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    14.9
    mg
    18
    %
    Calcium
     
    174
    mg
    17
    %
    Iron
     
    5.3
    mg
    29
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @thekiwicountrygirl or tag #thekiwicountrygirl!

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    If you tried and loved this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pana says

      January 09, 2025 at 10:12 pm

      5 stars
      I started to prepare this recipe, then realized my mince was way out of date, so used a dozen Chipolatas , chopped in half, so they were like mini meat balls. Cooking time was increased a bit. I also added half a glass of some home made red wine. Yummy is all I can say.

      Reply
    2. Judy says

      December 06, 2024 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      This great recipe, just love it.

      Reply
    3. Amanda says

      September 02, 2024 at 7:13 pm

      4 stars
      so easy and tasty - I had run out of tomato paste and was only making for two with 250 grams mince and one cup pasta so I put the whole tin of tomatoes in rather than 200gms. Worked fine. Added some broccoli on top after the mid cook stir and it steamed beautifully. Will definitely use again and try some variations. Thanks - love the one pot approach on busy week nights.

      Reply
    4. Nicola Brown says

      August 06, 2024 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy and tasty dish, very easy to add in extra veg that I have on hand and change up herbs etc. A family favourite here. Love your recipes!

      Reply
    5. Sue Blanchard says

      July 24, 2024 at 4:58 pm

      Loved making and eating this recipe from one kiwi girl to another..so tasty..thankyou

      Reply
    6. Judith Rea says

      June 12, 2024 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      Very yummy.

      Reply
    7. Mel says

      May 28, 2024 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      I think cooking the pasta in the same pot makes the flavour so nice! I added in sour cream, Parmesan cheese and tasty cheese at the end. I also made a bechamel sauce and put on top with cheese, was very yummy! πŸ˜‹

      Reply
    8. Deborah Walsh says

      May 14, 2024 at 5:54 pm

      So easy, and a tasty family meal. I added grated carrot to the mince and used spiral pasta as that’s what I had in the pantry. Also spread a layer of baby spinach on top and then the grated cheese. Extra veg, and it wilted nicely with the bubbly cheese on top. Will definitely make again.

      Reply
    9. Ann says

      April 14, 2024 at 3:22 am

      4 stars
      I’ve been buying a pasta bake from β€˜arks and Spencer for years, and wanted to try making it myself. Just tweaked it a little by adding more seasoning, but it was adult and toddler approved. Will definitely try again.

      Reply
    10. Christine Greenwood says

      April 10, 2024 at 11:39 pm

      1 star
      There was very little flavour and the pasta didn't cook through properly which was likely because the sauce is too thick. Maybe par boiling the pasta in water before adding it to the pan with an extra tablespoon of tomato paste and a pinch of sugar.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        April 12, 2024 at 7:52 pm

        Hi Christine, this is a very basic dish and I've purposely kept it fairly simple for flavour as it's one that my kids (and others!) seem to really love! You are welcome to add your own flair with more herbs or flavourings! You can also add more liquid to thin the sauce and help cook the pasta if you find it needs it. Or you could easily just par boil the pasta but I love less dishes!

        Reply
      • Sarah McShain says

        April 17, 2024 at 4:54 pm

        5 stars
        We love this recipe! This is our go to for a quick yummy family meal. The kids love it too so it must be a winner!

        Reply
    11. Gloria Dornan says

      March 27, 2024 at 11:08 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely easy and πŸ˜‹ delicious. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
    12. Pearl says

      March 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm

      5 stars
      Gorgeous 😍 no mixed herbs left, so added a bit of basil, oregano, sage, thyme & rosemary. Plus no penne pasta so used the vegie twirling one. No complaints from him indoors πŸ˜€

      Reply
    13. Gail Oakes says

      March 14, 2024 at 8:46 pm

      I thought it a little bland, something missing,

      Reply
      • Glen Camenzuli says

        March 21, 2024 at 8:03 pm

        Salt and pepper

        Reply
    14. John Ford says

      February 16, 2024 at 1:32 am

      I’ve been using this recipe for the last nine months and can only add that it’s fantastic plus it’s foolproof.
      I’m an 85 year old widower and prior to my wife’s death had never cooked anything other than a barbecue. I continually look for quick and simple but good recipes and this one is the tops.
      Many,many thanks and keep up the good work, I will be always following your posts.
      Regards, John

      Reply
      • Laura says

        March 24, 2024 at 12:16 pm

        I am so happy to hear you have been enjoying this recipe John! Well done for branching out and trying something new, I'm sure your wife would be so proud!

        Reply
    15. Janny says

      February 12, 2024 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      amazing! so easy, I added mushrooms, chorizo, and chilli flakes coz we like it hot <3

      Reply
    16. Alicja Jones says

      January 15, 2024 at 6:09 pm

      Can you use chicken mince Ali

      Reply
      • Laura says

        March 24, 2024 at 12:24 pm

        I haven't tried but there is no reason it wouldn't work! The only thing that would change would be the taste!

        Reply
    17. Lieketseng Moiloa says

      December 12, 2023 at 2:27 am

      Woww best meal in terms of dinner i will be making it again πŸ˜‹

      Reply
    18. Kirstey Hooper says

      November 30, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love this meal! Quick and easy and I grate in carrot and zucchini and add some capsicum as well to pack in veg for kiddo and he loooves it

      Reply
    19. lizzie says

      November 15, 2023 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      I am an 80 year old enthusiastic, rural, accomplished cook - everything from scratch & everything from my garden [no packet stuff in my kitchen] & this recipe is a winner for a quick very tasty meal - as I'm slowing down in the kitchen dept- well done

      Reply
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