Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce

This Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is the ultimate comfort dish for pasta lovers. The tender ground beef blends beautifully with the rich marinara sauce, while garlic and Italian herbs elevate the flavors. Topped with fresh parmesan and parsley, this hearty meal is perfect for any night of the week. Quick and simple to prepare, this one-pot meal is a go-to option for busy evenings. The juicy, flavorful beef combined with the al dente pasta creates a satisfying dish that will leave you coming back for seconds. Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired dinner!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon instant bouillon cube (chicken or beef)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can marinara tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Directions:

  1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  3. Stir in garlic, bouillon cube, and Italian seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Add ground beef and cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks and drain any excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally for about 8 minutes.
  6. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce.
  7. Stir in chopped parsley and grated parmesan until melted, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Serve the beef pasta immediately. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce: A Comforting Classic

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is a timeless dish that has graced dinner tables for generations. It’s not only a family favorite for its rich and hearty flavors, but also a go-to meal for busy weeknights, when convenience and comfort are the top priorities. The combination of tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a robust tomato sauce brings together everything you need in a fulfilling meal—deliciousness, simplicity, and speed.

This dish is often referred to as Beef Ragu, a simple yet incredibly flavorful pasta dish that embodies the essence of Italian comfort food. While there are countless variations of ragu across Italy, this version is an easy, streamlined recipe that focuses on accessible ingredients and a quick cooking process, making it perfect for any home cook.

The Heart of the Dish: Ground Beef

Ground beef is the star of this dish. Its rich, savory flavor and satisfying texture provide the hearty foundation that turns an ordinary tomato sauce into something truly special. When choosing ground beef for your pasta sauce, lean ground beef (80-90% lean) is an excellent choice. It delivers plenty of flavor without excess fat, making the dish hearty but not overly greasy.

As the ground beef cooks, it releases its natural juices, which then infuse the tomato sauce with extra depth and richness. The beef should be browned well to enhance its flavor—this caramelization adds complexity to the dish that can’t be achieved if the meat is simply steamed or undercooked.

For those who prefer a leaner or different type of meat, ground turkey or chicken can easily be substituted for beef, though the flavor will be lighter. For a vegetarian version, consider using mushrooms as they provide an umami-rich, meaty texture when cooked down with onions and garlic.

The Tomato Sauce: A Burst of Flavor

A good tomato sauce is the backbone of any pasta dish. In this recipe, marinara sauce forms the base, contributing a bright, tangy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the beef. While store-bought marinara sauce works well in a pinch, using a high-quality brand or making your own can elevate the dish even further.

The addition of garlic and onions to the sauce provides aromatic depth. Garlic is a classic ingredient in Italian cuisine, and when sautéed, it becomes sweet and mellow, blending perfectly with the other ingredients. Onions, too, contribute sweetness and a soft, melting texture to the sauce after they’ve been cooked down.

For those who enjoy a bit of heat in their pasta, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha sauce can be added to the tomato base. A small amount of sugar can also be used to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, particularly if you’re working with canned tomatoes that might lean on the tart side.

Parmesan and Herbs: Bringing It All Together

One of the best things about this beef pasta recipe is the way it is finished—stirring in freshly grated parmesan cheese. Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the sauce’s complexity, while also thickening it slightly to create a velvety texture that clings perfectly to the pasta.

Herbs play an essential role in bringing freshness to the rich flavors. Italian seasoning, a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, is used to provide an earthy, fragrant note that complements both the beef and the tomatoes. Fresh parsley stirred in at the end of cooking adds a burst of color and brightness, balancing the richness of the sauce.

For those who want to experiment, other herbs such as basil or thyme can be added to taste. Basil, in particular, pairs wonderfully with tomatoes and adds a fresh, slightly sweet flavor that can bring the sauce to life.

The Pasta: Choosing the Perfect Shape

While this recipe is versatile enough to be made with any type of pasta, certain shapes work better at capturing the chunky sauce. Pasta shapes with ridges or grooves—like penne, rigatoni, or rotini—are ideal for this dish because they hold onto the sauce, ensuring that every bite is full of flavor.

Cook the pasta until it’s al dente, meaning firm to the bite, as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce. Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy texture that detracts from the overall experience.

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, this dish also pairs well with long pasta like fettuccine or pappardelle, which can add a more elegant presentation. However, large, short pasta shapes remain the best for catching the chunks of beef and sauce.

Customizing Your Beef Pasta

One of the great things about Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is how customizable it is. You can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes or what you have on hand in your pantry.

For added nutrition, try tossing in some extra vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or carrots can all be sautéed with the onions and garlic to add texture, color, and flavor. If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can stir in a little heavy cream or mascarpone cheese at the end, creating a silky, richer version of this classic dish.

Those who enjoy a smoky flavor can add a pinch of smoked paprika or use fire-roasted tomatoes in place of traditional marinara. Additionally, for a more complex, Italian-style ragu, you could simmer the beef sauce for a longer time on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld even further.

Serving Suggestions

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is another popular choice, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce on your plate.

A glass of red wine, like a Chianti or Sangiovese, pairs beautifully with the beef and tomato sauce, enhancing the dish’s Italian roots and creating a complete, balanced meal.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This recipe makes a generous portion, so chances are you’ll have leftovers. Fortunately, this beef pasta stores well. Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. When reheating, it’s best to do so gently on the stove or in the microwave to prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.

If you prefer to freeze the leftovers, it’s best to store just the sauce in the freezer, as pasta tends to lose its texture when frozen. The sauce will keep for up to three months and can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator, then reheated and combined with freshly cooked pasta.

Conclusion:

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is a dish that exemplifies the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create something hearty, satisfying, and delicious. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or just craving a comforting bowl of pasta, this recipe delivers every time. With a few basic ingredients and less than 30 minutes in the kitchen, you can create a meal that’s both flavorful and filling.

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