Description
Hearty Beef Pasta brings rustic Italian comfort directly to dinner tables with rich tomato-infused flavors. Savory ground beef mingles with al dente pasta, creating a satisfying meal that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Garnish and Cheese:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Initiate pasta preparation by bringing a generously salted water pot to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully extract and preserve a modest portion of cooking liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a substantial skillet, introducing ground beef and methodically fragmenting the meat while browning. Eliminate superfluous fat if necessary.
- Incorporate finely diced onions into the sizzling pan, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Introduce minced garlic, stirring until its aromatic essence permeates the kitchen.
- Cascade diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and concentrated tomato paste into the skillet. Sprinkle dried basil, oregano, fiery red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Pour broth, creating a harmonious blend, and allow the mixture to gently simmer, melding flavors.
- Transport cooked pasta into the robust sauce, thoroughly coating each strand. Should the consistency feel dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired smoothness. Fold in freshly grated Parmesan, creating a luxurious coating.
- Transfer the steaming pasta onto serving dishes, adorning with delicate fresh herbs and an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved pasta water acts as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping it cling perfectly to noodles and creating a silky texture.
- Beef Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned without overcrowding the pan, which prevents steaming and promotes delicious caramelization.
- Herb Freshness Boost: Swap dried herbs with fresh basil and oregano during summer for a vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Diet-Friendly Modifications: Easily transform this recipe into gluten-free by using zucchini noodles or alternative grain pastas, and make it lower-carb by reducing pasta quantity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg