Description
This hearty Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce recipe combines al dente pasta with a rich and savory tomato-based beef sauce, enhanced with Italian seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta
Sauce and Meat
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp instant bouillon cube (chicken or beef)
- 1 (15 oz) can marinara tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, instant bouillon cube, and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the marinara tomato sauce and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for about 8 minutes to develop flavor.
- Combine: Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated.
- Finish: Stir in the fresh chopped parsley and shredded Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the onion and garlic.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavor; pre-shredded works in a pinch.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
