Easy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe: Your Go-To Beef Pasta Dinner

Introduction

Searching for quick and satisfying beef pasta recipes? This easy ground beef pasta delivers comfort in every bite. It’s a perfect solution for busy weeknights, offering a delicious, hearty meal your family will love. Enjoy creamy, cheesy, Italian-inspired flavors that come together quickly, making it a favorite for home cooks everywhere. This recipe makes simple cooking achievable and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Pasta Recipe

This beef pasta recipe is designed for simplicity and incredible flavor. Here’s why it will become a regular in your meal rotation:

Fast One-Pan Dinner Idea: Get a delicious meal on the table with minimal cleanup, making weeknights a breeze.
Uses Everyday Pantry Staples: You likely have most of these ingredients already, saving you a trip to the grocery store.
Rich, Creamy, Flavorful Sauce: The perfectly seasoned sauce coats every piece of pasta with comforting goodness.
Highly Customizable Recipe: Easily adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.
Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters enjoy this satisfying and flavorful ground beef pasta.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Freezing: Prepare a larger batch to enjoy throughout the week or freeze for future easy dinners.

Ingredients

This delightful ground beef pasta comes together with simple, accessible ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich, savory flavor profile of this comforting dish. For the best results, gather your ingredients before you start cooking.

1 + ½ lbs. ground beef (85% lean)
1 small yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 Tablespoons flour (optional-helps thicken the sauce)
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
16 oz tomato sauce
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup half and half (half cream, half milk)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ pound Rotini pasta

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to adjust these ingredients based on your preferences or what you have available.

Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for a richer flavor, or ground turkey for a leaner option.
Onion/Garlic: Adjust the amounts to taste. Add more if you love strong aromatics.
Italian Seasoning: Substitute with a blend of dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of thyme.
Flour: Omit flour for a gluten-free version. You can use a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) at the end to thicken.
Worcestershire: Soy sauce adds a similar umami depth, or you can simply omit it if not available.
Tomato Sauce: Crushed tomatoes provide a slightly chunkier texture, if preferred.
Broth: Beef broth will intensify the beef flavor even further in your ground beef pasta.
Half and Half: Whole milk offers a lighter sauce, while heavy cream creates a much richer consistency.
Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese all melt beautifully into this dish.
Pasta: Penne, ziti, cavatappi, or medium shells work perfectly if you don’t have rotini.
Add-ins: Stir in diced canned tomatoes, frozen peas, corn, or fresh spinach for extra nutrition.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to create this delicious ground beef pasta. Having these items ready before you begin will make the cooking process smooth and efficient.

Large skillet or Dutch oven
Cutting board and sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
Large pot for pasta (if cooking separately)
Cheese grater (for block cheese)

Instructions

Making this delicious ground beef pasta is straightforward, even for beginners. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a comforting and flavorful meal everyone will enjoy.

Prep Time: PT5M
Cook Time: PT25M
Serves: 4

Prep Ingredients: Shred the cheddar cheese and measure out the half and half. Set them aside at room temperature so they incorporate smoothly into the sauce. This simple step helps prevent curdling.
Brown Beef: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with your spatula, until it is mostly browned. To ensure safety, the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F. Add the diced yellow onions about halfway through and cook until they soften, about 5-7 minutes total.
Drain Grease: Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet. This step is crucial for a less greasy, more flavorful sauce.
Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Thicken Sauce: Add the kosher salt, Worcestershire sauce, and flour to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients, ensuring the flour coats the beef mixture evenly. Cook for 3 minutes to remove any raw flour taste. This helps create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Build Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, using a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This deglazing technique adds extra depth of flavor to your beef pasta. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. While the sauce simmers, start boiling water for the pasta in a separate large pot. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook for 7 minutes or according to package directions.
Finish Sauce: Slowly add the room temperature half and half to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly as you pour. This ensures a smooth, creamy consistency without curdling.
Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese completely melts and the sauce is smooth and cheesy. Do not boil after adding cheese.
Combine & Serve: Drain the cooked Rotini pasta thoroughly. Add the drained pasta directly to the creamy beef sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the rich sauce. Serve your easy ground beef pasta immediately with a side of garlic bread with cheese.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Mastering this ground beef pasta is simple with a few extra pointers. These tips will ensure a perfect dish every time.

Best Cheese: Always grate cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded. It melts much smoother and provides a creamier texture.
Pasta Choice: Choose sturdy pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or ziti. They hold the thick, creamy sauce well without breaking down.
Prevent Curdling: Ensure your half and half (or milk) is at room temperature before adding it to the hot sauce. Stir it in slowly over low heat to prevent curdling.
Browning Beef: Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning the ground beef. Cook in batches if necessary for even browning and better flavor development.
Flavor Depth: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth after browning the beef to scrape up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom.
Make it Spicy: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
Add Veggies: Stir in frozen peas, corn, or finely chopped bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrients and color.
Too Thick? If your sauce becomes too thick, simply stir in an extra splash of chicken broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Too Thin? Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to reduce it. Alternatively, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

This versatile ground beef pasta is perfect for many occasions and can be easily adapted to your needs.

Serving Suggestions: This hearty dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green side salad, warm garlic bread, or simple steamed green beans.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the beef sauce up to two days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cook the pasta fresh just before serving and combine.
Storage: Store any leftover cooked ground beef pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze cooled beef pasta in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions.
Protein Variations: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a mixture of different ground meats for varied flavors.
Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheese blends like Italian four-cheese mix, smoked gouda, or a Monterey Jack and colby blend.
Vegetable Boost: Incorporate more vegetables by sautéing chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini with the onions and garlic.

Nutrition

Understanding the estimated caloric and nutrient breakdown of your homemade ground beef pasta helps you make informed choices. This recipe offers a substantial meal, rich in protein and carbohydrates. For a deeper dive into its nutritional contributions, learn more about the health benefits of lean ground beef. Remember, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. You have complete control over customizing this dish to meet your dietary needs, whether that means choosing leaner meat or adding more vegetables. Enjoy the goodness of home cooking!

Nutrient	Per Serving (Estimate)
Calories	550-650
Protein	40-50g
Fat	25-35g
Carbs	40-50g
Sodium	800-1000mg

FAQ

Find quick answers to common questions about making delicious ground beef pasta.

What kind of pasta is best for beef pasta? Sturdy shapes like rotini, penne, or ziti are ideal because they hold the creamy sauce well. Avoid delicate pasta that might break apart.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the beef sauce up to two days in advance. Cook the pasta fresh just before serving for the best texture.
How do I store leftover beef pasta? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I use milk instead of half and half? Whole milk works for a lighter sauce, but half and half provides a richer, creamier texture and flavor. Heavy cream makes it even more decadent.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Absolutely! This ground beef pasta freezes well. Freeze in portion-sized containers and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
How can I add more vegetables to this dish? Stir in frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of cooking, or sauté finely diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.

Conclusion

This easy ground beef pasta truly is a game-changer for weeknight dinners. Its simplicity, delicious creamy sauce, and comforting flavors make it an instant family favorite. Quick to prepare and highly versatile, it delivers a satisfying meal without stress. We encourage you to try this fantastic ground beef pasta recipe and share your experiences and ratings. Enjoy this simple yet satisfying dish!