You only need 30 minutes to get this Ground Beef Pasta Recipe on the table for dinner! It's a one pan dinner recipe made with simple and affordable ingredients that you likely already have on hand, including hamburger, flavorful spices, canned tomatoes, fresh basil and shredded parmesan for the top.
I promise this one will be loved by kids and adults alike, plus it is filling and super quick to clean up (yay to less dishes). Save the leftovers for an easy lunch tomorrow!
If you're looking for something different to do with ground beef, this dinner is a great option for busy weeknights! It's a meat everyone seems to have in their freezer, but no one knows what to do with it - we got you!
For more recipes with hamburger meat, try this Stuffed Mexican Pepper Casserole or this easy Carroll Shelby Chili.
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Why you should make this recipe
- Ground beef and pasta are affordable for feeding a family, and we can all use more of that these days!
- Dinner can be on the table in half an hour.
- Because it's all made in one pan, clean up is faster and easier.
- It's family friendly (isn't it the best when the entire family is actually excited about your menu plan?)
- It can very easily be dairy free if you skip the cheese (there's no sour cream, heavy cream, or cream cheese)
Ingredients for pasta with hamburger meat
Hopefully you already have all of these ingredients in the pantry or freezer! But if not, here are a few of our suggestions for grocery shopping day.
- Lean ground beef: We usually cook with beef that is around 90% lean. If yours has a higher fat content, you can always just drain the excess grease after cooking the meat.
- Onion: Yellow onion is our first choice, but white or sweet will also taste great.
- Garlic: You can use pre-minced or mince your own.
- Seasonings: You'll need kosher salt, dried oregano, dried marjoram, and dried thyme to flavor everything.
- Tomato paste: Even if you buy the smallest can, you will still have some leftover. Check out the FAQ section for our favorite way to freeze leftovers!
- Crushed tomatoes: Cento is actually our favorite brand, but as you can see in the picture we also use generic with success.
- Sugar: This may seem odd, but it cuts the edge of acidity from the tomatoes. Totally makes a difference!
- Beef broth: If you don't have a carton, you can substitute with beef bouillon dissolved in hot water. I don't suggest using plain water because the broth really adds flavor.
- Pasta: Any tubular type of pasta will work. Typically we choose penne, but ziti, rigatoni, and even fusilli are good choices too. I don't suggest using whole wheat pasta because it will require a different ratio of liquid and cooking time.
- Fresh basil: A must! I prefer to grow some in the garden or purchase a plant from my grocery store because I find that it lasts longer than the little carton.
- Parmesan cheese: Use a fresh block of parm grated on the small side of a standard box cheese grater. Pre-grated cheese from the store will also work as long as it is real cheese (not the powdered kind).
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make this ground beef pasta recipe
You can make this pasta dish in a large dutch oven or a large pot with equal success. A large skillet is usually too shallow to hold all the sauce.
Heat your pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, breaking it into very small pieces as it cooks. This is the best ground meat utensil for the job!
If there is a lot of extra grease or liquid at the bottom of the pan, scoop it out with a spoon or soak it up with paper towels.
Next, add the all the dry seasonings and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continually. This allows all the flavor to be released from the herbs.
Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and sugar to the pan. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring well to help the paste incorporate evenly into the mixture.
Last, pour in the beef broth and pasta. Turn the heat up to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Give it one last stir while boiling, then cover the pot and reduce the heat until it is at a fast simmer.
Simmer the pasta for 18-20 minutes. If you notice it is getting a tad dry near the end of the cooking time, you can add an extra splash of stock. Once the pasta is al dente, remove it from the heat.
Add the freshly grated parmesan and basil, stirring well to combine. The sauce may be a bit loose at this point - no worries! It will continue to thicken as it cools for a couple of minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to store leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I love my glass storage containers (this is the brand I have, but you can find them cheaper at Sam's Club).
Sides to serve with ground beef pasta
Since this dinner is all about keeping things easy, we would serve it with a bagged salad from Sam's or Costco, and maybe a loaf of fresh French bread. However if you want some homemade sides, here are a few ideas:
- Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls (with frozen Rhodes Rolls)
- Lemon Thyme Focaccia Bread
- Italian Chopped Salad
- A simple green salad with Hot Honey Ranch
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
- Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
Reheating instructions
The key to reheating this dish well actually starts when you first cook it! Make sure to not overcook the noodles. You want them to have a bit of chew so that once you reheat them, they don't get mushy.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30-60 second increments or larger portions on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add some fresh parmesan or basil if it needs another pop of flavor.
FAQs
Ground beef is certainly a good source of protein and healthy fat! Pasta itself is a debated topic 😉 However when served in reasonable portion sizes this hearty meal will be filling and lasting.
You can substitute the marjoram in this recipe with extra dried oregano, parsley, basil, or an Italian seasoning blend.
It is inevitable that every time you use tomato paste, you will have a little left. My favorite way to prevent waste is to freeze it in 1-2 tablespoon portions using the small Souper Cubes tray or a silicone ice cube tray. Then pop them in a freezer bag and keep them frozen until the next time you need some.
No, cooked noodles do not freeze well. However you can freeze the raw ground beef ahead of time and just thaw it before you're ready to cook.
Tips & tricks
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, if the pot is getting a bit dry you can add an extra splash of broth.
- Choose a leaner ground beef to avoid a lot of excess grease.
- If the sauce is a little too loose at the end, allow it to cool for an extra 5-10 minutes to thicken up.
More one pan recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
One Pot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe (30 minute dinner!)
Equipment
- OR large pot
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb ground beef
- 1 med onion diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 lb tubular pasta such as penne
- ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese grated
- 3 tablespoon fresh basil minced
Instructions
- Heat a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, breaking it into very small pieces as it cooks.1 ½ lb ground beef, 1 med onion, 1 tablespoon garlic
- If there is a lot of extra grease or liquid at the bottom of the pan, scoop it out with a spoon or soak it up with paper towels.
- Next, add the all the dry seasonings and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continually. This allows all the flavor to be released from the herbs.1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoon dried marjoram, 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and sugar to the pan. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring well to help the paste incorporate evenly into the mixture.⅓ cup tomato paste, 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon sugar
- Last, pour in the beef broth and pasta. Turn the heat up to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Give it one last stir while boiling, then cover the pot and reduce the heat until it is at a fast simmer.4 cups beef broth, 1 lb tubular pasta
- Simmer the pasta for 18-20 minutes. If you notice it is getting a tad dry near the end of the cooking time, you can add an extra splash of stock. Once the pasta is al dente, remove it from the heat.
- Add the freshly grated parmesan and basil, stirring well to combine. The sauce may be a bit loose at this point - no worries! It will continue to thicken as it cools for a couple of minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!3 tablespoon fresh basil, ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese
Notes
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, if the pot is getting a bit dry you can add an extra splash of broth.
- Choose a leaner ground beef to avoid a lot of excess grease.
- If the sauce is a little too loose at the end, allow it to cool for an extra 5-10 minutes to thicken up.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
Such an easy dinner to make for weeknights!