Description
A rich and creamy stovetop ground beef pasta that combines tender penne with a savory tomato and beef broth sauce, infused with herbs and finished with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a comforting and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to warm up.
- Sauté onions: Add olive oil to the skillet, then sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook ground beef: Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains.
- Season beef: Mix in oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, cooking another minute to blend flavors.
- Add liquids: Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with juices, stirring to combine and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cook pasta: Add penne pasta to the skillet, distribute evenly, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed.
- Make sauce creamy: Stir in heavy cream and cook 2-3 more minutes until sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Season final dish: Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add cheese and serve: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs if available for a brighter flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef for a leaner option.
- To reduce calories, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk alternative, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If beef broth is unavailable, substitute with vegetable or chicken broth.
- Stir occasionally while pasta cooks to prevent sticking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: creamy ground beef pasta, stovetop pasta, easy dinner, one-pot pasta, comfort food, penne pasta with beef, creamy tomato pasta
