Creamy Ranch Beef Macaroni Skillet Recipe
Creamy Ranch Beef Macaroni Skillet is a hearty, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender ground beef, al dente macaroni, and a rich, creamy ranch-flavored cheese sauce. This easy stovetop dish combines savory ranch seasoning, tangy sour cream, and melty cheddar cheese, finished with fresh scallions and juicy tomatoes for a burst of color and freshness, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Produce
- 4 stems scallions (separate whites and greens, thinly sliced)
- 2 roma tomatoes (diced into 1⁄4-inch pieces)
Pasta
- 12 ounces macaroni
Meat
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
Dairy & Cheese
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 8 tbsp sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (preferably shredded block cheese)
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings & Broth
- 4 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 package beef broth (approximately 14-16 ounces)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Begin by washing and drying the produce. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white parts from the green parts. Dice the roma tomatoes into small 1/4-inch pieces for garnish later.
- Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef along with the scallion whites. Add the dry ranch seasoning, along with a dash of salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Add Cream and Broth: Stir in the cream cheese and beef broth into the beef mixture. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue cooking while stirring until the sauce thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Add the drained macaroni, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and butter to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy cheese sauce. Continue cooking and stirring for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat and top with the sliced scallion greens and diced roma tomatoes for a fresh contrast.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the creamy ranch beef macaroni skillet warm directly from the pan for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Using shredded block cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded helps the cheese melt more smoothly.
- If beef broth is not available, substitute with low-sodium beef stock or water with a beef bouillon cube.
- To cut calories, use light sour cream and reduced-fat cream cheese.
- For added crunch and color, sprinkle with some crushed red pepper flakes or paprika if desired.
- This dish reheats well; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.