Is there any question more daunting at the end of a hectic day than, “What shall we have for tea?” When you’re tired, the thought of a complex meal with endless pots and pans is the last thing you want. But what if we shared a secret to a meal that’s not only delightfully simple but also incredibly satisfying and a guaranteed hit with the whole family? Allow us to introduce our one-pan marvel: the definitive Creamy Beef Pasta Skillet Dinner. It’s a robust, flavourful, and comforting dish that you can get on the table in around 30 minutes, using just a single skillet. It’s time to banish kitchen stress and welcome your new go-to weeknight dinner.

What Makes This a Skillet Dinner a Weeknight Winner?

We firmly believe that the best meals offer the greatest flavour for the least amount of effort, and this recipe embodies that principle perfectly. By preparing everything in a single pan, from browning the mince to simmering the pasta, we allow the flavours to develop and merge into a beautiful, cohesive whole. The pasta cooks right in the savoury beef broth and tomato sauce, soaking up all that deliciousness while its starches naturally thicken the sauce into something truly luscious. This method isn’t just a time-saver; it’s a culinary technique that enhances the dish, making it far richer than if you were to cook each element on its own. It’s a wonderfully clever approach to a quick and delicious dinner.

This is far more than just another Beef Pasta; it’s a well-rounded, satisfying meal in one bowl. We’ve filled it with savoury beef mince, tender pasta, aromatic garlic and herbs, and a velvety sauce, all brought together with fresh spinach for a healthy touch of green. It’s the kind of soul-warming food that feels like a proper treat. If you enjoy straightforward yet impressive pasta dishes, we’re sure you will also love our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, which operates on a similar ethos of big flavours without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Perfection: The entire meal comes together in one skillet, which means the flavours build beautifully and, best of all, the washing up is kept to an absolute minimum.
• Ready in 30 Minutes: From beginning to end, you can have this hearty and delicious meal ready to serve in about half an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Rich and Creamy Without Heavy Cream: We achieve a wonderfully smooth and velvety sauce using cream cheese, which provides all the comfort you crave without feeling overly rich.
• Family-Friendly Flavours: Combining savoury beef mince, a gentle tomato base, and a cheesy finish, this dish is a guaranteed winner with everyone, including the pickiest of eaters.
• Easily Customisable: This recipe serves as a brilliant foundation. Feel free to add extra vegetables, try a different cheese, or sprinkle in some chilli flakes for extra warmth.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 800ml beef broth or stock
• 250g dried short pasta (such as fusilli, penne, or shells)
• 120g full-fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 100g fresh spinach
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Skillet Dinner

Putting together this delightful Creamy Beef Pasta is both simple and immensely satisfying. We’ll walk you through every stage to guarantee a flawless dish. Find your largest skillet or a shallow casserole dish, and let’s begin!

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, deep skillet, warm the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and fry for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant, making sure it doesn’t brown.
2. Brown the Beef: Tip the lean beef mince into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart and cook until browned all over. Carefully drain away any excess fat. This step forms the flavourful base of our brilliant Ground Beef Recipe.
3. Season and Simmer: Add the dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir for a minute to let the herbs become fragrant. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stir in the tomato purée, mixing everything together thoroughly.
4. Cook the Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the dry pasta, stirring it in and pressing it down to ensure it is covered by the liquid. Lower the heat to medium-low, pop a lid on the skillet, and let it simmer away for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. We suggest giving it a stir once or twice to stop any sticking.
5. Get It Creamy: When the pasta is tender, reduce the heat to low. Add the cubes of softened cream cheese and stir gently until they melt seamlessly into the sauce, creating a rich, velvety consistency. This is what makes it the ultimate Creamy Pasta.
6. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach a handful at a time, stirring it through the hot pasta until it wilts down completely, which should only take a couple of minutes.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Have a taste and add any extra seasoning if needed. Serve hot from the pan, garnished with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese and a scattering of fresh parsley.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Creamy Beef Pasta

Although this recipe is beautifully straightforward, a few of our tried-and-tested tips can elevate it from merely great to truly exceptional. Here is our advice for getting this skillet dinner just right, every time.

Choosing the Right Beef

We find that using lean beef mince (with a fat content of around 5-10%) is best. It delivers that rich, beefy taste without leaving the final dish feeling oily. If you’re using mince with a higher fat percentage, just be sure to drain the excess fat very well after browning. As noted by the British Nutrition Foundation, lean red meat can be a beneficial part of a balanced diet, offering key nutrients like iron and B vitamins.

Pasta Perfection

Short pasta shapes that have plenty of texture are perfect for this dish, as they are brilliant at holding onto the creamy sauce. Varieties such as fusilli, penne, rigatoni, or shells are all excellent choices. Take care not to overcook the pasta; check it a minute or so before the time suggested on the packet, as it will continue to soften in the heat of the sauce. The goal is a perfect al dente bite.

Veggie Variations

This recipe is a fantastic starting point for incorporating more vegetables. You could sauté sliced mushrooms or chopped bell peppers with the onion at the start of cooking. Another idea is to stir in frozen peas or sweetcorn for the final few minutes of simmering. For another simple and adaptable meal idea, take a look at our Bruschetta Chicken recipe.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This creamy beef pasta skillet dinner is a complete meal in itself, but it goes wonderfully with a simple green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette to provide a fresh contrast. We also heartily endorse serving it with some crusty garlic bread to mop up every last drop of the incredible sauce.

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, you can use a microwave or warm it gently in a saucepan over a low heat. As the sauce will thicken when chilled, you may want to add a splash of milk or beef broth to loosen it up again.

FAQ

A New Family Favourite Awaits

We are certain that this Creamy Beef Pasta Skillet Dinner is destined to become a firm favourite in your weekly meal plan. It provides the ideal solution for hectic evenings, delivering a comforting, tasty, and wonderfully easy meal that will have everyone smiling at the dinner table. It’s proof that you don’t need lots of time or equipment to make something truly satisfying.

So, the next time you’re stuck for tea-time inspiration, we hope you’ll remember this simple, flavour-packed recipe. We would love for you to try it this week! Please share your thoughts and photos in the comments below – we always enjoy seeing our recipes come to life in your homes.

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 800ml beef broth or stock
• 250g dried short pasta (such as fusilli, penne, or shells)
• 120g full-fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 100g fresh spinach
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, deep skillet, warm the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and fry for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the lean beef mince to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain away any excess fat.
3. Season and Simmer: Stir in the dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée, mixing thoroughly.
4. Cook the Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add the dry pasta, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
5. Get It Creamy: Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese cubes and stir until melted into a smooth, velvety sauce.
6. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach and stir until it has completely wilted into the pasta.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g