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Delicious Beef Pasta dish served as a featured image for a food blog post.

Easy Beef Pasta Dinner

This Easy Beef Pasta Dinner recipe transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying meal. Ground beef is browned and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, then combined with perfectly cooked pasta for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream optional
  • 1 pound pasta penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • colander
  • Spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the richer the sauce will become.
  4. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  5. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to adjust the consistency. If desired, stir in the heavy cream for added richness.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

For a richer flavor, simmer the sauce for a longer period. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots to the sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.