Description
A rich and creamy stovetop ground beef pasta recipe combining tender pasta with a flavorful tomato and cream sauce, enhanced by aromatic onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning. This hearty dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner and can be garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savory touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¾ cup heavy/whipping cream
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for garnish
Vegetables & Aromatics
- ½ sweet yellow onion, chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
Pantry Staples
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 8 oz uncooked pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 4–5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Add the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened.
- Combine with Pasta: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- Use your favorite type of pasta; penne or rotini work well to hold the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste; add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: ground beef pasta, creamy pasta recipe, stovetop pasta, easy dinner, Italian American pasta, quick ground beef recipe
