Ground Beef Tomato Pasta 🍅🥩🧄🍝 Hearty, Meaty, and Packed With Rich Tomato Flavor in Every Bite

This is the kind of pasta that’s bold, filling, and comforting — ground beef browned with garlic and herbs, simmered in a robust tomato sauce, then tossed with pasta and plenty of Parmesan.

It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and weeknight gold.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells)
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the meat sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

To finish

• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
• Chopped parsley or basil
• Drizzle of olive oil or butter (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Brown the beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through. Break into small pieces as it cooks. Transfer to a plate and drain excess fat if needed.

Step 3: Build the sauce
In the same pan, add diced onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant and darkened.

Step 4: Simmer
Return beef to the skillet. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar if using, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Adjust salt and pepper.

Step 5: Combine
Add drained pasta and a splash of pasta water to the sauce. Toss with Parmesan and stir until glossy and well-coated.

Step 6: Serve hot
Top with more cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil or butter if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Use Italian sausage or ground turkey instead of beef
• Add diced zucchini, bell pepper, or spinach for extra veg
• Stir in a splash of cream or mascarpone for a creamy version
• Swap crushed tomatoes for fire-roasted for smoky depth
• Add a dash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire for umami

Pro Tips

• Brown the beef well — it adds deep flavor to the sauce
• Simmer the sauce long enough for the flavors to meld
• Use tomato paste to concentrate the base
• Save and use pasta water to help the sauce coat evenly
• Freshly grated Parmesan melts and binds better than pre-shredded

Final Thoughts

Ground Beef Tomato Pasta is a true classic — hearty, flexible, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up and makes the kitchen smell amazing, all with pantry staples and a single skillet.

Sear it. Simmer it. Scoop up that saucy goodness. 🍅🥩🧄🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

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