Ground Beef Pasta
Ground beef pasta—a comforting and satisfying dish that brings together two beloved culinary elements: hearty ground beef and comforting pasta. This timeless combination creates a meal that is not only delicious but also versatile, making it a favorite in households around the world. Let's take a flavorful journey into the world of ground beef pasta.
At its core, ground beef pasta is a simple yet deeply satisfying dish comprised of ground beef cooked to perfection and combined with al dente pasta, all brought together with a rich and flavorful sauce. The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to marry the meaty goodness of ground beef with the comforting embrace of pasta, resulting in a meal that is both filling and flavorful.
The journey of ground beef pasta begins with the selection of the finest ingredients. High-quality ground beef, preferably lean to moderate fat content, serves as the foundation of the dish. The beef is seasoned with a medley of spices and aromatics, such as garlic, onion, salt, and pepper, to enhance its flavor profile.
Next comes the pasta—a canvas upon which the flavors of the dish will unfold. A variety of pasta shapes can be used, from classic spaghetti to hearty penne or comforting rigatoni. The pasta is cooked in a pot of salted boiling water until it reaches the perfect al dente texture—firm to the bite yet tender and cooked through.
While the pasta cooks, the ground beef is browned in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking. As the beef sizzles and caramelizes, it releases its savory aroma, filling the kitchen with anticipation.
Once the ground beef is cooked through and beautifully browned, it's time to add the sauce. The options for sauces are virtually endless, ranging from rich and meaty tomato-based sauces to creamy Alfredo or vodka sauces. Each sauce brings its own unique flavor profile to the dish, allowing for endless customization and creativity.
The sauce is simmered with the ground beef until it thickens slightly and coats the meat in a luscious, flavorful blanket. This allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious union of meat, pasta, and sauce that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Finally, the cooked pasta is added to the skillet with the beef and sauce, and tossed together until every strand of pasta is coated in the rich, savory goodness. The aroma of simmering beef, aromatic spices, and freshly cooked pasta fills the air, signaling that dinner is nearly ready.
Once the ground beef pasta is fully assembled, it's time to serve and savor. Whether plated elegantly for a formal dinner or served family-style for a cozy night in, each bite is a celebration of flavor and comfort. Garnishes such as freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil add the finishing touches, elevating the dish to new heights of culinary delight.
But ground beef pasta is more than just a meal—it's a culinary experience that transcends time and place. It's the aroma of home-cooked comfort wafting through the kitchen on a cold winter's night. It's the taste of childhood memories shared around the dinner table with loved ones. And it's the simple pleasure of savoring a delicious and satisfying dish made with love.
In conclusion, ground beef pasta is a timeless classic that never fails to satisfy. With its hearty beef, comforting pasta, and flavorful sauce, it's a dish that brings joy and comfort with every bite. So whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend meal, ground beef pasta is sure to delight taste buds and warm hearts alike.
Ground Beef Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the pasta as per package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and set aside.
In a medium pan, add the olive oil and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the lean ground beef and break apart and cook until no longer pink. Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasonings and and cook until the sauce is warm. Remove from the heat.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, fresh parsley, Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese and cottage cheese.
Add a thin layer of the meat sauce onto the base of the baking dish then add half the cooked pasta, then half the cottage cheese mixture, then a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining half of the cooked pasta, followed by the remaining cottage cheese mix. Pour the remaining meat sauce all over the top, then the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake everything for 35-45 minutes, until the cheese has melted and golden brown in spots. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley and slice and serve.
8 servings
1 serving (1/8 recipe)
- Amount per serving
- Calories279
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g16%
- Total Carbohydrate 21g8%
- Protein 36g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ground Beef Pasta is one of many healthy recipe ideas that you can find on our recipe page.
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Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the pasta as per package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and set aside.
In a medium pan, add the olive oil and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the lean ground beef and break apart and cook until no longer pink. Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasonings and and cook until the sauce is warm. Remove from the heat.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, fresh parsley, Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese and cottage cheese.
Add a thin layer of the meat sauce onto the base of the baking dish then add half the cooked pasta, then half the cottage cheese mixture, then a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining half of the cooked pasta, followed by the remaining cottage cheese mix. Pour the remaining meat sauce all over the top, then the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake everything for 35-45 minutes, until the cheese has melted and golden brown in spots. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley and slice and serve.