BEEF PASTA QUICK EASY

Tired of staring into the fridge, wondering what to make for dinner *again*? Imagine twirling a forkful of perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, savory, beefy sauce, seasoned just right. This Beef Pasta recipe is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas, promising a satisfying and flavorful meal on the table in under an hour.

The Dream Team: Gathering Your Ingredients

Alright, friend, let’s gather everything we need to make this Beef Pasta masterpiece. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

Beefy Goodness:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Saucy Situation:

• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional, but adds a nice depth)

Pasta Perfection:

• 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape!)

Optional Extras (Level Up!):

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Red pepper flakes, for a little kick

From Prep to Plate: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Let’s walk through this Beef Pasta recipe together. I promise, it’s easier than ordering takeout.

Step 1: Brown the Beef

1. In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants greasy pasta!

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

1. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!

Step 3: Build the Sauce

1. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
2. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf (if using).
3. Stir everything together well.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Flavor

1. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
2. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be!
3. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

1. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain the pasta well. Don’t let it sit in water!

Step 6: Combine and Serve

1. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef sauce.
2. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Make sure every strand is covered in that delicious sauce!
3. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes is also a great addition for those who like a little heat.

Troubleshooting Tips for Pasta Perfection

Okay, let’s be real. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Sauce Too Thick: Add a little bit of water or beef broth to thin it out.
• Sauce Too Thin: Simmer it for a bit longer, uncovered, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. You can also add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
• Pasta is Sticky: Make sure you’re using enough water when cooking the pasta. Also, don’t overcook it! And always drain it immediately after cooking.
• Sauce is Bland: Taste and adjust the seasonings! Add more salt, pepper, oregano, basil, or even a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Variations and Creative Twists

Want to put your own spin on this Beef Pasta recipe? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Add Vegetables: Sauté some bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots along with the onion for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
• Make it Creamy: Stir in a dollop of sour cream, cream cheese, or ricotta cheese at the end for a richer, creamier sauce. You might enjoy a similar recipe like Creamy Beef Pasta.
• Cheese Please!: Add shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone cheese to the pasta before serving and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’ll be like a comforting casserole!
• Use Different Meat: Try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.

Serving Suggestions: Completing the Meal

Beef Pasta is a satisfying meal on its own, but here are a few ideas to round out your dinner:

• Garlic Bread: Because who doesn’t love garlic bread with pasta?
• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing adds a fresh contrast to the rich pasta.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious addition.
• Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze is a classic Italian combination.

Other Ground Beef Creations You’ll Adore

If you are looking for other recipes with ground beef, why not give Asian Ground Beef Noodle Skillet or Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef a try? If you’re a cheese lover, you might even like Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta or Cheeseburger Macaroni. For dumpling fans we have Ground Beef And Dumplings.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Lucky you if you have leftovers! Store the Beef Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. You may need to add a splash of water or beef broth to loosen the sauce.

Final Thoughts: Your New Go-To Meal

And there you have it – a simple, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious Beef Pasta recipe that’s perfect for any weeknight. I hope you love it as much as I do! Now go forth and create some culinary magic!

Quick and Easy Beef Pasta

Alice Yowell

This Beef Pasta recipe is a quick and easy weeknight meal, ready in under an hour. It features perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, savory beef sauce, seasoned just right for a satisfying and flavorful dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet or pot
• Spoon
• Large pot for pasta
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound pasta penne, rotini, or your favorite shape
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Red pepper flakes, for serving

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
• Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
• Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf (if using).
• Stir everything together well.
• Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
• Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
• While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Drain the pasta well.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef sauce.
• Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
• Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes is also a great addition.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or beef broth if needed. For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered. For a thinner sauce, add water or beef broth. To add vegetables, sauté bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots with the onion. For a creamier sauce, stir in sour cream, cream cheese, or ricotta cheese at the end. Try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.