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Easy Beef Pasta Recipe

This Easy Beef Pasta Recipe delivers a comforting and flavorful dish with browned ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. A touch of red wine and Parmesan cheese elevate the flavors, creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20
  • 1 pound pasta penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape
  • 1 large 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 dry red wine optional
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
  • Water for boiling pasta

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • colander
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, 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.
  3. 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.
  4. If using, pour in the red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour for a richer flavor. The longer it simmers, the better.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For a richer flavor, simmer the sauce for a longer period. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop or in the microwave. For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes. Adding a tablespoon of tomato paste can also enhance the tomato flavor. Using 80/20 ground beef is recommended for optimal flavor and browning. Using leaner ground beef may result in a drier sauce.