Description
A hearty and comforting Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce featuring lean ground beef simmered in a flavorful marinara sauce with Italian seasoning, garlic, and onions, combined with perfectly cooked pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. This easy 30-minute stovetop recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 8 oz pasta
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp instant bouillon cube (chicken or beef)
- 1 (15 oz) can marinara tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To Finish
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes, to build the flavor foundation. Stir in minced garlic, instant bouillon, and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook the meat until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes, while crumbling it for even cooking. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the sauce lean.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara tomato sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld by cooking it for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce, stirring well to coat every strand with the flavorful mixture.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and shredded Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts smoothly into the hot sauce, then serve the dish immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the dish lighter.
- Instant bouillon adds depth but can be skipped or replaced with low sodium broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust pasta cooking time depending on your preferred texture (al dente or softer).
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with dried parsley if needed, but add it earlier to allow flavors to develop.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
