This easy ground beef and noodles recipe is a family-friendly favorite, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal that everyone will love.

Easy Ground Beef & Noodle Skillet: Quick Weeknight Dinner Idea 16

It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast, leaving everyone feeling full and happy. If you’re looking for a simple, hearty, and comforting meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, you’ve found your new go-to.

We’re talking about minimal fuss, basic ingredients you likely already have on hand, and a delicious outcome that will have even the pickiest eaters asking for seconds. Get ready to discover how simple and rewarding homemade beef and noodles can be for your busy weeknights.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This ground beef and noodle skillet is a true weeknight hero for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly fast to prepare, making it ideal for those evenings when time is short, but you still want a homemade meal. It’s designed for busy parents, individuals, or anyone looking for a satisfying dinner without a lot of culinary effort. The recipe is also wonderfully budget-friendly, relying on staple ingredients that are easy to find and won’t break the bank. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry family, offering a hearty and comforting dish that appeals to almost everyone, from toddlers to adults. You can serve it as a standalone meal, making clean-up even easier, or pair it with a simple side salad for added freshness. It’s the ultimate comfort food that brings a sense of warmth and satisfaction to the dinner table, any day of the week.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

This recipe uses everyday ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store, ensuring a stress-free shopping experience. You won’t need any fancy equipment or exotic spices, just simple, wholesome components that come together beautifully in one skillet.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups wide egg noodles, uncooked
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a leaner protein; just be sure to adjust cooking times slightly to ensure it’s fully cooked. If you don’t have diced tomatoes, a can of crushed tomatoes works just as well and will give the sauce a slightly smoother texture. Feel free to use any type of short pasta if you don’t have wide egg noodles on hand, such as rotini or penne, though the cooking time might vary slightly. For a dairy-free option, simply omit the shredded cheddar cheese, or use a plant-based shredded cheese alternative.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 30-35 minutes

You’ll spend most of your time browning the beef and simmering the sauce, with the noodles cooking directly in the skillet, saving you an extra pot to wash. This streamlined approach ensures you get a delicious, satisfying meal on the table in under 35 minutes.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious ground beef and noodle skillet is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.

Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Build the Sauce Base: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook the Noodles: Once the sauce is simmering, add the uncooked wide egg noodles to the skillet. Stir them into the sauce, making sure they are fully submerged. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
Check for Doneness and Seasoning: Uncover the skillet and check the tenderness of the noodles. If they are still too firm, add a splash more beef broth or water and continue to cook for a few more minutes, covered, until they reach your desired consistency. Taste the dish and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning) as needed.
Serve with Optional Toppings: If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the hot skillet and cover for a minute or two, allowing the cheese to melt. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Serve hot directly from the skillet.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This ground beef and noodle skillet is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a more vegetable-packed meal, consider stirring in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or diced carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Spinach or kale can also be wilted into the dish right before serving for an extra boost of greens. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the Italian seasoning will give it a nice kick.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can use smaller pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells, which are often easier for little ones to eat. You can also reduce the amount of onion and garlic if your children are sensitive to strong flavors. A sprinkle of mild cheddar or mozzarella cheese on top is always a hit with kids.

This dish is fantastic served on its own as a complete meal. However, if you’re looking to round it out, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment. For a casual buffet or potluck, this skillet meal travels well and can be kept warm in a slow cooker. You can also offer a variety of optional toppings on the side, such as extra shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh chives, allowing everyone to customize their own plate.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even the simplest recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your ground beef and noodle skillet turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent issue is overcooking the ground beef, which can make it dry and crumbly. To avoid this, cook the beef until it’s just browned and no longer pink, then drain the fat promptly. Don’t let it sizzle in the pan for too long after it’s cooked through.

Another common mistake is not draining the excess grease from the ground beef. Leaving too much fat in the skillet can make the final dish greasy and less appealing. Always drain the fat after browning the beef before adding other ingredients.

Undercooked or mushy noodles are also a concern. The key here is to ensure the noodles are fully submerged in the liquid when they cook. Stir them occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking. If your noodles are still firm after the recommended cooking time, add a little more broth or water and continue to simmer until tender. Conversely, don’t let them cook for too long past their al dente stage, or they can become mushy.

Finally, skimping on seasoning can lead to a bland dish. Always taste the sauce before adding the noodles and again after the noodles have cooked. Adjust the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as needed. Remember that canned tomatoes and broth can vary in their sodium content, so tasting and adjusting is crucial for a flavorful outcome.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This ground beef and noodle skillet is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying as leftovers. Proper storage ensures it stays delicious and safe to eat.

To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles may absorb more of the sauce as it sits, so the texture might be slightly softer when reheated, but it will still be incredibly flavorful.

For reheating, you can warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. If reheating a larger amount on the stovetop, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.