Description
This 35-Minute One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta is a hearty and comforting dish made by cooking ground beef, pasta, and tomatoes all in one pot, ending with a creamy finish of Parmesan and heavy cream. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful meal combines Italian seasoning and a touch of spice for a simple yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 onion (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
- 16 ounces pasta (fusilli, rotini, or similar)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking with occasional stirring until softened, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Cook ground beef with seasoning: Add ground beef to the pot. Season it with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and no longer pink.
- Add liquids and bring to simmer: Pour in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Increase heat to bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook pasta in sauce: Add the pasta to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 9 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Finish with cream and cheese: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust sauce consistency by adding beef broth a tablespoon at a time if too thick, or simmer briefly if too thin.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef pasta right away, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
Notes
- Use San Marzano canned tomatoes for best flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- If sauce thickens too much after resting, stir in a little extra beef broth before serving.
- Choose pasta shapes like fusilli or rotini to hold onto the creamy sauce better.
- Ground beef should be 90% lean to balance flavor and fat content.
