Description

A hearty and comforting pasta dish featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. This restaurant-quality recipe is simple enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until browned. Break apart with a wooden spoon and continue cooking until no pink remains. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a plate.
2. In the same pan, add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to caramelize.
4. Return beef to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
7. Add drained pasta directly to the sauce. Toss over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, adding pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
8. Remove from heat and stir in half the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately topped with remaining Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of water or broth. For a spicier version, increase red pepper flakes to taste. This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 485
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 28g