Description
This one pot ground beef pasta recipe is quick, flavorful, and family-approved. Pasta cooks directly in a rich tomato-beef sauce with aromatic spices, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the seasoning:
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp dried mint or Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sweet paprika or pul biber
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
For the stock:
960 ml (4 cups) boiling water (or low sodium broth)
2 small beef stock cubes
For the pasta and sauce:
3 tbsp olive oil (or as needed)
1 onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) lean ground beef
400 g (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
350 g (12 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, etc.)
1 bay leaf
6 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan, divided
2 tbsp chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the spices, herbs, sugar, and seasonings in a small bowl.
- Dissolve the stock cubes in boiling water, or use broth instead.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the onion and half of the seasoning mix, then cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Increase the heat, add the ground beef and the remaining seasoning, breaking up the meat with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste. Pour in the prepared stock and add the bay leaf, then bring to a simmer.
- Add the pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the sauce. Simmer for 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, and add more hot water if needed.
- Remove the bay leaf, stir in half of the Parmesan, and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Garnish with parsley or basil, and serve with the remaining Parmesan.
Notes
Swap beef for lean ground turkey for a lighter version.
Add mushrooms, peppers, or zucchini for extra veggies.
Use whole wheat pasta for more fiber.
For a creamier sauce, stir in 80ml (⅓ cup) cream before serving.
Freezes well for up to 3 months; reheat with a splash of broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop, One Pot
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1⅙ cups
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55mg
- Fiber: 52g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 23g