Hearty Ground Beef Pasta Recipe Ideas For Family Meals

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy hungry bellies.

A hearty ground beef pasta recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every single bite.

Tender pasta intertwines with seasoned meat, creating a meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Rich, savory ingredients blend seamlessly to produce a crowd-pleasing dish everyone loves.

The simple combination of ground beef and pasta promises a satisfying dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Packed with protein and bursting with robust seasonings, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Let’s uncover how a few strategic ingredients can turn dinner into a memorable feast.

Ingredients List for Quick Beef Pasta

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the pasta dish.

• Rotini Pasta: A spiral-shaped pasta that holds sauce exceptionally well.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds depth and traditional Italian-style flavor to the recipe.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich liquid base for the sauce.

• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and creamy cheese that melts smoothly into the sauce.
• Half and Half: Adds a luxurious creaminess to the pasta sauce.

• Onions, Garlic: Provide a foundational savory base for the dish.
• Kosher Salt, Italian Seasoning: Enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, umami depth to the meat sauce.

• Flour: Helps to create a smooth and slightly thickened sauce texture.

• Salted Water: Used for cooking the pasta to enhance its flavor.
• Garlic Bread: An optional side that complements the pasta dish.

How to Make Ground Beef Pasta in One Pan

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.

Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.

Halfway through cooking, add diced onions and continue cooking until beef is fully browned and onions are soft and translucent.

Step 2: Season and Enhance Flavor

Drain excess grease from the skillet.

Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

• Kosher salt
• Worcestershire sauce
• Flour

Cook the mixture for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

Pour in chicken broth, using a spatula to scrape up browned bits from the pan.

• Tomato sauce
• Italian seasoning

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil.

Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions.

Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 5: Finish the Creamy Sauce

Reduce skillet heat to low.

Slowly pour in half and half, stirring continuously.

Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce.

Gently toss to ensure every pasta piece is coated with the delicious beef and cheese sauce.

Serve immediately with a side of garlic bread for an extra touch of deliciousness.

Quick Tips for Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

• Shred cheese and measure half and half in advance, allowing them to reach room temperature for smoother sauce incorporation.
• Remove excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy dish and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing flavor profile.
• Toast flour briefly to eliminate raw taste and develop a rich, nutty undertone that enhances the overall depth of the sauce.
• Cook rotini just until al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushy texture when mixed with the sauce.
• Add cheese gradually over low heat, stirring constantly to create a silky, smooth sauce without clumping or separating.

Saving and Warming Up Beef Pasta Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth to prevent drying. Cover with a damp paper towel, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Pour pasta into a skillet, add a splash of broth or water. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through and sauce regains creamy consistency.

Top Side Ideas for Ground Beef Pasta

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich beef and tomato sauce, cutting through the creaminess while enhancing the dish's robust flavors.
• Serve with Crisp Caesar Salad: Create a light, tangy side that balances the hearty pasta with fresh romaine, parmesan shavings, and a zesty dressing to provide a refreshing contrast.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread Crunch: Prepare toasted garlic bread with a crispy exterior and soft interior to soak up the creamy sauce, adding textural variety and complementary garlic notes.
• Match with Bright Pinot Grigio: Select a chilled white wine with citrus undertones to cut through the richness of the beef and cheese, offering a clean, refreshing palate cleanser between bites.

Pasta Variations with Ground Beef

• Vegetarian Pasta Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu, maintaining the same seasoning and cooking method for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Swap regular rotini with gluten-free pasta and use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the meal.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Pasta: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-inspired pasta dish with a kick of heat.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that still captures the rich, creamy sauce's essence.

FAQs

• Why use Worcestershire sauce in this recipe?

Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, savory umami flavor that enhances the beef’s richness and provides a subtle tangy complexity to the overall dish.

• Can I substitute ground beef with another meat?

Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken work well as alternatives. They’ll provide similar texture while keeping the recipe’s core flavor profile intact.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy when adding cheese?

Always reduce heat to low and add cheese gradually while continuously stirring. This technique ensures smooth, even melting without creating clumps in the sauce.

• Is kosher salt necessary, or can I use regular salt?

Kosher salt is recommended because it distributes more evenly and has a cleaner taste. If using table salt, reduce the quantity by half to avoid over-salting the dish.

What Makes This Ground Beef Pasta So Good

• This ground beef pasta recipe offers something special for everyone at the table.
• One-skillet cooking means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, making weeknight meals a breeze.
• Combining protein-rich ground beef with hearty pasta creates a satisfying meal that keeps hunger at bay and delivers essential nutrients.
• Swap ingredients or add extra vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours, perfect for adapting to family preferences and pantry supplies.

Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef pasta combines robust flavors with comforting Italian-inspired ingredients, creating a satisfying meal for family dinners. Savory meat, perfectly seasoned sauce, and tender noodles promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef, 85% lean

Pasta:

• 0.5 pounds (227 grams) rotini pasta

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) half and half
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) italian seasoning

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Instructions

1. Prepare ingredients ahead of time: grate cheddar cheese and measure half and half, allowing them to approach room temperature for smoother sauce integration.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and brown ground beef, breaking into crumbly pieces. Midway through cooking, incorporate diced onions and sauté until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
3. After beef is fully cooked, eliminate excess fat from the skillet. Introduce minced garlic and cook until aromatic. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and flour, stirring consistently to prevent flour from burning and remove raw taste.
4. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, using a spatula to lift caramelized meat fragments. Mix in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Elevate to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to develop robust flavors.
5. Simultaneously, boil salted water in another pot. Cook rotini pasta until al dente, typically 7 minutes. Drain pasta and reserve.
6. Gradually stream half and half into the meat sauce, stirring continuously. Reduce heat to low and slowly fold in shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete melting and smooth sauce consistency.
7. Combine cooked pasta with sauce, gently tossing to ensure uniform coating. Plate immediately and complement with garlic bread for an enhanced dining experience.

Notes

• Grate the cheddar cheese fresh for maximum melting and flavor integration into the sauce.
• Allow half and half and cheese to reach room temperature before adding to prevent clumping and ensure smooth sauce texture.
• Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg