Description
Hearty beef pasta in tomato sauce delivers comfort through rich Italian-inspired flavors. Robust meat and silky sauce promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid before draining.
- Meat Browning: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add ground beef and break into crumbles while browning. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. The kitchen will fill with a rich, savory aroma.
- Sauce Development: Introduce diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to the skillet. Sprinkle in dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pour broth and simmer, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Pasta Integration: Combine cooked pasta with the robust sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Adjust consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water. Stir in Parmesan cheese to create a creamy, luxurious texture.
- Final Presentation: Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh herbs and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately while steaming hot, capturing the dish’s full flavor profile.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just shy of package instructions to maintain al dente firmness, preventing mushy results. Reserve pasta water strategically for sauce consistency adjustments.
- Control Meat Browning: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure proper beef caramelization, developing deeper flavor complexity and preventing steaming instead of searing.
- Balance Sauce Intensity: Adjust tomato paste and herbs proportionally to prevent overwhelming acidity. Taste and season progressively, allowing flavors to develop during simmering process.
- Accommodate Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or mushrooms for vegetarian version. Use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly adaptation, ensuring similar texture and taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg