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Italian Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Egg Noodle Skillet Pasta

When you want a comforting dinner that feels homemade without spending hours in the kitchen, this Italian Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Egg Noodle Skillet Pasta is an excellent choice. It brings together tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, sweet bell peppers, aromatic garlic, Italian-inspired seasonings, and a rich tomato sauce in one hearty skillet.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. The beef and vegetables are cooked until flavorful, then combined with a tomato-based sauce and tender egg noodles. Everything finishes together in the skillet, allowing the noodles to soak up the savory sauce while the peppers add a little sweetness and texture.

It is the kind of meal that works equally well for a busy weeknight, a casual family dinner, or a cozy weekend meal.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Pasta

There are several reasons this recipe deserves a place in your regular dinner rotation:

One skillet-friendly meal: Most of the cooking comes together in one large skillet, keeping cleanup manageable.
Comforting and filling: Ground beef and egg noodles make this a satisfying main dish.
Packed with flavor: Garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, and Parmesan create a familiar Italian-inspired flavor profile.
Colorful vegetables: Bell peppers bring sweetness, freshness, and a pleasant bite.
Easy to customize: You can adjust the vegetables, cheese, seasonings, or level of richness to suit your preferences.
Family-friendly: The mild flavors make it approachable while still tasting flavorful and homemade.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

8 ounces wide egg noodles
Salt, for the pasta water

For the Beef and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Sauce

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, preferably undrained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
½ cup beef or chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Finishing

½ cup shredded mozzarella, optional
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Extra Parmesan for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to the package directions until they are tender but still have a slight firmness.

Avoid overcooking the noodles because they will continue cooking briefly when combined with the hot skillet mixture.

Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the noodles and set them aside.

The reserved pasta water can help loosen the sauce later if it becomes thicker than you want.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Place a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through.

If there is a large amount of excess fat in the skillet, carefully drain some of it. Leave a small amount behind because it adds flavor to the vegetables.

Step 3: Add the Onion and Bell Peppers

Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet.

Cook for about 4–5 minutes, stirring regularly. The onion should begin to soften, while the peppers should become tender but retain a little texture.

The combination of red and green peppers gives the dish both sweetness and a slightly earthy flavor.

Step 4: Add the Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds.

Be careful not to let the garlic brown too much. You want it fragrant rather than bitter.

Step 5: Season the Beef Mixture

Add the Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.

Stir thoroughly so the spices coat the beef and vegetables.

Cooking the seasonings briefly with the meat helps release their aromas and gives the sauce a deeper flavor.

Step 6: Build the Tomato Sauce

Pour the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet.

Add the broth and stir everything together. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with your spoon or spatula to loosen any flavorful browned bits left from cooking the beef.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

During this time, the tomatoes will blend with the beef and peppers while the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 7: Add the Egg Noodles

Add the cooked egg noodles directly to the skillet.

Using tongs or a large spoon, gently toss the noodles through the sauce until they are evenly coated.

If the mixture looks too thick, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water. Add it gradually rather than all at once so you can control the consistency.

Let everything cook together for another 2–3 minutes.

This short finishing time allows the egg noodles to absorb some of the tomato and beef flavor.