Hamburger and Pasta Skillet

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 03/14/22
easy skillet hamburger and noodles
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Make this hamburger and pasta skillet dish with egg noodles or pasta. Macaroni or penne pasta—as pictured—are both good choices. Tomatoes, chili sauce, and tomato paste give it vibrant tomato color and flavor. Besides the great flavor, the fact that it's made in one skillet makes it especially appealing.

If you choose to omit the bacon, heat a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet before you add the onion and ground beef. Plain diced tomatoes work well in the dish, but feel free to amp up the flavor with seasoned zesty chili-style tomatoes or chopped stewed tomatoes.

Serve this easy, flavorful skillet meal with a simple vegetable salad and crusty rolls or biscuits.

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Ingredients

  • 2 slices bacon

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

  • 1/4 cup mild chili sauce

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

  • 3 cups egg noodles, uncooked

  • 3/4 cup water, or as needed

Steps to Make It

  1. In a large heavy skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towels and set aside.

  2. Add onion to the bacon drippings and cook for 2 minutes. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink, stirring frequently.

  3. Add the tomatoes, green bell pepper, chili sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, and a dash of pepper. Stir to blend.

  4. Add the uncooked noodles or pasta to the ground beef mixture along with the water.

  5. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Check after about 20 minutes and add more water, if necessary.

  6. Crumble the drained bacon and add it to the dish or use it as a garnish.

Tip

  • Chili sauce can be found near the ketchup and cocktail sauce in the grocery store. 

Recipe Variation

  • For extra flavor, replace the water with unsalted beef stock.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
349 Calories
12g Fat
31g Carbs
28g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 349
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 4g 22%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Sodium 581mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 22mg 110%
Calcium 60mg 5%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 689mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)