Description
A comforting and creamy stovetop ground beef pasta dish featuring penne pasta simmered in a flavorful sauce made with sautéed onions, garlic, herbs, beef broth, diced tomatoes, and finished with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a rich, indulgent meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
Dry and Canned Goods
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup beef broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the ingredients.
- Add Olive Oil: Pour in the tablespoon of olive oil and allow it to warm up in the skillet for proper cooking of the aromatics.
- Sauté Onions: Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and translucent, building the flavor base.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the aroma.
- Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Brown the Beef: Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains, ensuring proper flavor development.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle in dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes, then stir to combine.
- Cook Spices: Let the beef and spices cook together for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
- Add Liquids: Pour in beef broth and the diced tomatoes with their juices, stirring well to combine the sauce.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend and the sauce to slightly reduce.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the penne pasta, distributing it evenly in the sauce.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pasta cook in the simmering sauce for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Notes
- Using a large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid is essential for even pasta cooking and simmering.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based meat for variations.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to preference.
- Ensure to stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
