Description

This One-Pot Beef and Cheddar Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold ranch flavor. Everything cooks in one pot—including the pasta—so cleanup is a breeze. With ground beef, melty cheddar, and a touch of tangy ranch seasoning, it’s comfort food the whole family will love.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
2 cups beef broth
2 cups milk
12 oz uncooked pasta (rotini, penne, or shells work great)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (if needed)

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Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add Garlic & Seasoning: Stir in garlic, ranch seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add Liquids & Pasta: Pour in beef broth and milk. Stir in the uncooked pasta and bring to a boil.
Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.

Serve: Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken, then serve hot. Garnish with extra cheese or chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
For extra veggies, stir in some spinach, corn, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.

This dish reheats well—just add a splash of milk before microwaving to keep it creamy.