Description
A quick and hearty pasta dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender noodles, and a creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting Italian-American dish is perfect for a family meal on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 1 lb pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work best)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring the tomato paste begins to caramelize slightly to deepen the flavor.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasonings: Incorporate the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili flakes (if using), and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and let it cook gently for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Make Sauce Creamy: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Continue simmering for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to become creamy and slightly thickened.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat the noodles evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese for richness. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil before serving for color and freshness.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for a different protein variation.
- For extra richness, add 2 oz cream cheese when stirring in the heavy cream.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini during the sauce simmer step for additional vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
