Description
This One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Ground beef is cooked with onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning, then simmered with crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and pasta until tender. Finished with a creamy blend of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, this skillet pasta offers comforting richness with minimal cleanup. Optional additions like spinach or bell peppers can boost the veggie content, and substitutions like ground turkey or gluten-free pasta make it versatile for different dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Mix in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Combine Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir in the uncooked pasta, making sure it is submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Pasta: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken to a creamy consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy tomato beef pasta.
Notes
- For extra vegetables, stir in a handful of spinach or chopped bell peppers with the pasta during cooking.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
