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!
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.
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.
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.
Why this recipe works
- It is cheap to make and uses pantry staples
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Packed full of flavour and super saucy
- Saves you dishes
- An epic melty cheese meal
It ticks every single dinner time box!
The other thing about this recipe that makes it a real winner is that my kids LOVE it and over the years that you have all been making this dish, your fussy kids and husbands love it too! Feeding a family can be hard work, so adding new crowd favourite recipes into the mix is so satisfying! Cheesy mince pasta has become part of our regular rotation along with butter chicken with naan bread, Josh's homemade burgers (which we love making into mini sliders) and the ultimate kid favourite quick stovetop macaroni cheese
It's kid friendly, farmer friendly and hungry mama friendly. What more do you need?
Cheesy One Pan Mince Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed or finely chopped)
- 500 grams beef mince (ground beef)
- 1x 400 gram tin of chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 1 Tablespoon dried mixed herbs
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups dried penne pasta
- ½ 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!
If you tried and loved this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below!
Mrs G says
Simple & tasty recipe. It's a go to for a quick , filling & delicious meal. I've made this a few times, love it!
Pana says
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.
Judith Calhoun says
I made this dish last night, and it took a lot longer than the recipe said, liquid was still in the pan, plus it didn't look appetising at all. Won't be making it again.
Laura says
I'm sorry you didn't have success with this recipe Judith!
Judy says
This great recipe, just love it.
Amanda says
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.
Nicola Brown says
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!
Sue Blanchard says
Loved making and eating this recipe from one kiwi girl to another..so tasty..thankyou
Judith Rea says
Very yummy.
Mel says
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! 😋
Deborah Walsh says
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.
Ann says
I’ve been buying a pasta bake from ‘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.
Christine Greenwood says
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.
Laura says
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!
Sarah McShain says
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!
Gloria Dornan says
Absolutely easy and 😋 delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Pearl says
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 😀
Gail Oakes says
I thought it a little bland, something missing,
Glen Camenzuli says
Salt and pepper
John Ford says
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
Laura says
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!
Anneli Fitzgerald says
How cool. I’m going to try this recipe tomorrow.
Janny says
amazing! so easy, I added mushrooms, chorizo, and chilli flakes coz we like it hot <3
Alicja Jones says
Can you use chicken mince Ali
Laura says
I haven't tried but there is no reason it wouldn't work! The only thing that would change would be the taste!
Lieketseng Moiloa says
Woww best meal in terms of dinner i will be making it again 😋
Kirstey Hooper says
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
lizzie says
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