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Easy ground beef pasta recipe with seasoned beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese

Easy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

A comforting easy ground beef pasta recipe made with seasoned beef, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground Beef Mixture
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
  • ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
Cheese and Garnishes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • Grated Parmesan optional
  • Red pepper flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just tender. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with the beef and tomato sauce. Add a small amount of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  7. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar over the pasta. Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts.
  8. Remove from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley. Add Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
  9. Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) before serving.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease while keeping the dish flavorful.
  • Brown the beef well for deeper flavor.
  • Cook the tomato paste briefly before adding the liquids to develop a richer tomato taste.
  • Cook the pasta just until tender to help prevent a mushy texture.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.