Ground Beef Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe
A quick and comforting Ground Beef Pasta recipe that combines tender pasta with a rich tomato and cream sauce, seasoned with Italian herbs and topped with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal ready in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8-10 ounces pasta (any shape)
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
- fresh chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of water with a generous pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the ground beef and onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring and breaking the beef into small pieces, until the meat is mostly browned and the onions are tender.
- Add seasonings and tomato sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well. Cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine cream and pasta: Stir in the heavy cream and heat through. Add the drained pasta and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything well to combine and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste (starting with about 1/4 teaspoon salt and 10 cranks of black pepper).
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Add a pinch more red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh flavor but can be omitted.