Description
Craving an easy, satisfying weeknight dinner? This Ground Beef Pasta delivers everything you want in a hearty meal — rich tomato sauce, creamy textures, and bold, savory flavors all tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni. It’s a crowd-pleaser that works great for busy weeknights, family dinners, or make-ahead lunches. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, quick comfort food, or pasta dinner ideas, this dish is the answer. Simple, flavorful, and irresistibly creamy, it’s a must-try for any home cook.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
8 ounces rigatoni pasta
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
4. Add uncooked rigatoni directly to the pan. Stir to coat with the sauce. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente (12–15 minutes).
5. Stir in heavy cream and butter. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add Parmesan cheese, stir to melt into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine before adding the tomato paste.
To prevent overcooked pasta, check doneness a few minutes early and adjust cook time as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: ground beef pasta, easy dinner, one pot pasta, creamy pasta, quick pasta recipe