One Pot Beef Cheddar Ranch
This one-pot recipe features lean ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy cheddar ranch sauce, all cooked together for a family-friendly meal with minimal cleanup.
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef lean
- ½ medium Onion finely diced
- 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
- 3 cups Beef Broth low sodium
- 1 cup Milk whole or 2%
- 1 packet Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix about 1 oz
- 8 ounces Pasta medium-sized (elbow macaroni, penne, or cavatappi)
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese shredded (sharp or medium cheddar)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt & Black Pepper To taste
- Fresh Parsley or Chives For garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then cook and brown the ground beef, breaking it up and draining any excess fat.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in beef broth and milk, then stir in dry ranch seasoning mix and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the ranch seasoning. Adjust cooking time for pasta based on package directions for al dente perfection. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.