Hearty One-Pot Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta
This hearty one-pot pasta dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal. Ground beef, pasta, and a flavorful tomato sauce all cook together in a single pot, making for easy cleanup.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, or medium shells), uncooked
Optional Toppings
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then brown the ground beef, breaking it up and draining any excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth; stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add uncooked pasta to the pot and stir well to ensure all pasta is submerged.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, stir, and if desired, sprinkle with shredded cheese; cover briefly to melt the cheese, then garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground pork. Adjust seasoning to your taste, adding more herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. This recipe is also great for meal prepping; simply store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.