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Delicious Ground Beef Pasta served as a featured image for a recipe article.

Easy Ground Beef Pasta

This easy ground beef pasta recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. It's quick, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable with your favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices. A comforting and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound pasta penne, rigatoni, rotini, or spaghetti
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Red pepper flakes for garnish optional

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Spoon
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  5. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  7. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes, or longer for a richer flavor.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta. Brown the beef well for added flavor. Simmer the sauce for a richer taste. Season generously. Add a splash of pasta water for a creamier texture. For variations, add sauteed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini. Spice it up with red pepper flakes. Make it creamy with ricotta cheese or sour cream. Add a splash of red wine. Use different herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese over the pasta and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or skillet. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months.