Description
Hearty Ground Beef Pasta combines robust Italian flavors with comforting home-style cooking. Savory meat sauce clings perfectly to tender noodles, creating a satisfying meal that brings families together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Sauté diced onions for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, creating a rich base.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula while browning for 5-7 minutes.
- Drain excess fat if needed to prevent greasy texture.
- Season the beef with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Pour in undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Add rotini pasta, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed for perfect flavor balance.
- Garnish with fresh parsley to add vibrant color and bright herb notes.
- Serve immediately while warm, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Customize pasta shape by swapping rotini with penne, farfalle, or shells for varied texture and visual appeal.
- Lower fat content by using lean ground beef (90/10) or ground turkey as protein alternatives.
- Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium beef broth and monitoring added salt during cooking.
- Create vegetarian version by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or hearty mushrooms for similar umami flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 569 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg