Description
A comforting and hearty beef pasta dish featuring savory ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfectly coating tender pasta for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition.
- For a richer sauce, include a splash of cream.
- Letting the sauce simmer longer enhances the flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat with a bit of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
