Description
A hearty, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring browned ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and egg noodles finished with cheddar cheese. Ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no pink remains (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain noodles.
- Add the drained noodles to the skillet with the beef sauce. Stir gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes if needed to reduce.
- Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and stir until melted and creamy. Stir in butter.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, shred your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy; freeze the beef sauce without cheese if necessary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: ground beef goulash, egg noodles, one pan dinner, weeknight dinner, comfort food, easy recipe, 30 minute meals