Description
This one pot creamy tomato beef pasta is a comforting and flavorful dinner option that combines ground beef, Italian herbs, and a rich tomato cream sauce with pasta cooked directly in the sauce for maximum flavor absorption. Easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, this recipe delivers hearty, saucy pasta all in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500g / 1 lb beef mince / ground beef
- 2 tsp Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 400g / 14 oz can crushed tomatoes (or tomato passata)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (chilli flakes, optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups (1 L) chicken stock / broth, low sodium
- 350g / 12 oz fusilli, penne, elbow macaroni, or other short pasta
- 3/4 cups thickened / heavy cream
For Serving
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: Heat the olive oil on high heat in a large heavy-based pot. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking for about 1 1/2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook Beef and Seasonings: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook thoroughly, breaking it up with a spatula until no pink remains. Stir in the Italian herbs and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the tomato paste and cook for another 1 minute to remove its raw flavor.
- Add Sauce Ingredients and Pasta: Stir in crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well, then add the pasta directly into the pot.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes and more frequently towards the end, to prevent sticking. Cook until pasta is just tender and has absorbed much of the sauce.
- Add Cream and Finish: Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to become creamy and rich but still saucy enough to coat the pasta well.
- Serve: Remove from heat, stir well, and ladle into bowls. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional chopped parsley.
Notes
- This recipe showcases the convenience of one-pot cooking while delivering rich and comforting flavors.
- Use any short pasta like fusilli, penne, or macaroni according to preference.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to desired spice level.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a cream alternative, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently with a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce.
- Watch the pasta closely in the last minutes of cooking to prevent sticking and ensure perfect doneness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 988 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg
