Ground beef pasta is a weeknight favorite for a reason. It’s simple, comforting, budget-friendly, and full of bold flavor—with only everyday ingredients. This recipe combines tender pasta, savory browned beef, onions, garlic, and a rich tomato sauce into a filling dish that always satisfies. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or prepping meals ahead of time, this is the kind of dinner you’ll rely on again and again.

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What makes this recipe special is how adaptable it is. You can keep it classic, load it with vegetables, add spices or herbs, or make it creamy. No matter how you customize it, the final dish always turns out satisfying and full of flavor.

Why This Ground Beef Pasta Is Always a Hit

• Ready in 30 minutes
• Uses pantry staples
• Kid-friendly, picky-eater approved
• Works with any pasta shape
• Easy to customize
• Great for leftovers and meal prep
• Naturally hearty and filling

Ingredients You Need

Pasta

12 ounces penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or your favorite short pasta

Ground Beef & Aromatics

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Sauce Base

1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional

¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Fresh Parmesan for serving

Equipment

Large pot
Skillet
Colander
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Ground Beef Pasta

Before You Begin

Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients. Wash hands, tools, and surfaces after handling raw ground beef to prevent cross-contamination.

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta until al dente (check package timing).
Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Brown the Ground Beef Safely

Heat a skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart.
Cook until no pink remains and beef reaches 160°F (71°C).
Drain grease safely (do not pour down the sink).

3. Add Onion and Garlic

Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Build the Tomato Sauce

Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If sauce thickens too quickly, add a splash of pasta water.

5. Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta.
Toss until fully coated and heated through.
Stir in fresh basil if using.

6. Serve Safely

Remove from heat and serve hot with Parmesan.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

How to Serve Ground Beef Pasta

To make this a complete meal, serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad or mixed greens
• Roasted vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, carrots)
• A simple side of steamed green beans

For extra richness, add:
• A spoonful of ricotta on top
• Extra-virgin olive oil drizzle
• Red pepper flakes

This dish also works well as a potluck option or a next-day lunch because the sauce continues to develop flavor as it sits.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Pasta

• Brown the beef well—it adds depth of flavor
• Don’t overcook the pasta
• Add pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
• Taste and season at the end
• Stir in a tablespoon of butter for a silky finish
• Use fresh basil or parsley to brighten the flavor

Variations to Try

Add Vegetables

Bell peppers • Mushrooms • Spinach • Zucchini • Peas

Switch Proteins

Ground turkey • Chicken • Sausage • Plant-based meat

Boost the Flavor

Red pepper flakes • Worcestershire sauce • Olives • Capers

Make It Cheesy

Parmesan • Mozzarella • Ricotta • Goat cheese

One-Pot Method

Cook pasta in the sauce for fewer dishes and extra flavor.

How to Store, Freeze & Reheat

Refrigerate

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze

Freeze cooled pasta up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Stovetop: Add a splash of water or broth and warm gently
Microwave: Heat in short intervals, stirring between

COMMON MISTAKES

• Not cooking beef to 160°F (71°C)
• Adding garlic too early (burns and becomes bitter)
• Over-cooking pasta until mushy
• Forgetting to reserve pasta water
• Simmering on high heat, causing sauce to scorch
• Adding fresh herbs too early (they become dull)
• Leaving leftovers out too long before refrigerating

FAQ

1. What type of ground beef works best for pasta?
Lean ground beef (85–90% lean) is ideal because it provides good flavor without too much grease. Higher-fat beef works but requires draining to avoid an oily sauce.

2. What pasta shape holds the sauce best?
Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli grips the sauce better. Long pasta like spaghetti works too but doesn’t hold chunky sauces as well.

3. Why does my sauce taste bland?
Under-seasoning is the most common issue. Season the beef, season the sauce, then taste and adjust before serving. A pinch of salt often elevates the entire dish.

4. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, and it actually tastes better the next day because the flavors deepen. Store it tightly covered and reheat gently with added liquid.

5. How do I thicken or thin the sauce?
To thicken, simmer uncovered to reduce the liquid or mash a few cooked tomatoes. To thin, add pasta water, broth, or a small amount of additional crushed tomatoes.

6. What vegetables work well in ground beef pasta?
Onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, and zucchini blend naturally into the sauce and increase nutrients.

7. Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free pasta. Chickpea or lentil pasta also adds extra protein and fiber.

8. Can I make this creamy instead of tomato-based?
Yes. Add ½ cup heavy cream or cream cheese to the sauce to create a creamy beef pasta.

Conclusion

This ground beef pasta is the kind of recipe that fits into any routine: weeknights, family meals, or batch-cooking for lunches. It delivers bold flavor with minimal effort, and its versatility means you can adjust it for any taste or occasion. From classic Italian-style seasoning to veggie-packed variations, each version turns out hearty and satisfying. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it becomes one of those reliable meals you make again and again—comforting, filling, and always delicious.

Ground Beef Pasta: Classic Recipe Card

Ground Beef Pasta – Easy, Flavorful & Ready in 30 Minutes
Author: Isaac Blogger
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: ~550 per serving

Ingredients

Pasta
• 12 ounces penne, spaghetti, fusilli, or any short pasta

Ground Beef & Aromatics
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Sauce Base
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• Fresh Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Before You Begin:
Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times may vary. Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw meat.

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
2. In a skillet, brown ground beef for 5–7 minutes until no pink remains and it reaches 160°F (71°C). Drain grease safely.
3. Add onion; cook 3–4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
5. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Adjust consistency with pasta water if needed.
6. Serve hot with Parmesan. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Nutrition (Per Serving) approx.

• Calories: 550
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Sugar: 8g

Nutrition Disclaimer: Values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.