Ah, ground beef and pasta—that’s a classic combo that can be quick, filling, and delicious! You can make it in several ways, like a simple spaghetti with meat sauce, baked pasta casserole, or even beef stroganoff. Here’s a straightforward approach for a quick pasta with ground beef:
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz (about 340g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Optional: grated cheese, parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add aromatics: Add chopped onion and garlic to the beef. Cook until softened (2–3 minutes).
- Add sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes for flavors to combine.
- Combine with pasta: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the beef sauce. Mix well so the pasta is coated.
- Serve: Top with grated cheese or fresh parsley if you like.
💡 Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to the beef while cooking.
- You can sneak in veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- For a baked version, mix pasta with sauce, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes.
If you want, I can also give you a super-easy one-pot version that cooks the pasta in the same pan as the beef and sauce, so cleanup is almost zero. It’s perfect if you’re in a hurry. Do you want me to do that?
