Kid-Friendly Ground Beef Dinner
A simple and delicious ground beef dinner perfect for kids. This recipe combines ground beef with vegetables and pasta in a mild tomato sauce, making it a nutritious and tasty meal that children will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 small zucchini, finely diced
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces small pasta shapes (such as elbow macaroni or small shells)
1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Add the diced carrot and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef and vegetable sauce. Stir well to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2 minutes.
Serve warm.