If you’re looking for a dish that is quick to make, comforting, and sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds, Ground Beef Pasta is the perfect choice.

Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight meal or preparing for a weekend family gathering, this dish combines the richness of ground beef with the savory goodness of pasta. It’s simple, hearty, and absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love Ground Beef Pasta?

Quick and Easy to Make: One of the best things about this recipe is how fast it comes together. With just a few basic ingredients and less than 30 minutes of cooking time, you can have a satisfying meal on the table.

Comforting and Hearty: The combination of ground beef and pasta creates a rich, filling dish that everyone will love. It’s the type of meal that hugs you from the inside.

Family-Friendly: If you’ve got kids who are picky eaters, Ground Beef Pasta is a great way to get them to enjoy a nutritious meal. The pasta can be customized with different shapes and sizes to keep things exciting!

Versatile: You can easily tweak the recipe to suit your preferences. Add in veggies for extra nutrition or adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes.

Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish stores well, making it perfect for meal prepping. It’s an ideal lunch or dinner for busy weeks.

Ingredients for Ground Beef Pasta

Ground Beef: The star of this recipe. Lean ground beef is a great option, but you can choose any fat content depending on your preferences.

Pasta: Choose your favorite pasta! Whether it’s spaghetti, penne, or fusilli, any pasta will work. Make sure it’s cooked al dente for the best texture.

Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic, adding depth of flavor.

Onions: Diced onions help build the base flavor for the sauce.

Garlic: Minced garlic adds that aromatic, savory punch that complements the beef.

Tomato Sauce: This brings the dish together, creating the base for the rich, savory sauce.

Crushed Tomatoes: For added texture and a deep tomato flavor.

Seasonings: Oregano, basil, and Italian seasoning bring the pasta dish to life with a blend of classic flavors.

Salt & Pepper: Season to taste for balanced seasoning.

Cheese: Grated Parmesan or mozzarella, or both, can be sprinkled over the pasta for a melty, cheesy finish.

Step-by-Step Process

Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set it aside. Be sure to reserve a cup of pasta water, which can be added later to help bring everything together.

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and is fully browned. This will take around 6-7 minutes.
Add the Onions and Garlic: To the browned beef, add the diced onions and minced garlic. Stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent. The garlic will release its fragrance and bring even more flavor to the dish.
Stir in the Tomato Sauce and Crushed Tomatoes: Pour in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine with the beef mixture. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes. This will help the flavors meld and thicken the sauce. Stir occasionally.

Season the Sauce: Add oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings depending on how flavorful you want the sauce to be. For a little extra kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together so that the pasta is well coated in the savory sauce. If the mixture looks too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Add Cheese: If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it over the top of the pasta now. You can stir it into the sauce for a creamy texture, or leave it on top for a cheesy finish. Allow the cheese to melt into the pasta before serving.

Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Ground Beef Pasta hot, garnished with fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired. You can also add extra grated Parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy touch.

Variations

Veggie Version: Add finely chopped veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the beef mixture. These will add extra nutrients and a pop of color to the dish.
Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a little heat, you can add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce for a spicy twist.

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta: Add more cheese to make the dish extra indulgent. You can even try mixing in ricotta or cream cheese for a creamy, cheesy texture.
Ground Turkey or Chicken: For a leaner option, swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. These will create a lighter, but still satisfying, version of the dish.

FAQs

Can I make this in advance? Yes, Ground Beef Pasta is perfect for meal prep. You can make it a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat and serve.

What pasta works best for this recipe? While you can use any type of pasta, I recommend long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine. However, short pasta like penne or rigatoni also works well, as it soaks up the sauce beautifully.

Can I freeze this dish? Yes, Ground Beef Pasta can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little extra sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve Ground Beef Pasta with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad. For a light option, pair it with a side of sautéed spinach or roasted vegetables. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, top the pasta with a side of breadsticks or a sprinkle of extra cheese.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a comforting family dinner, Ground Beef Pasta is a crowd-pleaser that is easy to make and full of flavor. It’s hearty, flavorful, and sure to satisfy the whole family!