Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is a perfect balance of hearty ground beef, pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce. The use of beef broth and crushed tomatoes creates a savory base, while the heavy cream and Parmesan add a smooth, creamy texture. The best part? It’s all made in one pot, making it an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup. You can adjust the heat level by adding or omitting the red pepper flakes, and the recipe is easily customizable with your favorite pasta shapes.

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

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Season the Beef: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Cook the Pasta: Once the mixture is boiling, add the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the liquid has reduced, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish the Sauce: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the cheese to melt into the pasta.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Optionally, top with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4-6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 30-35 minutes

Variations

Vegetarian Option: Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based protein like lentils or a meat alternative like crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version.
Extra Veggies: Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the pot for added nutrition and flavor.
Spicy Version: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
Cheese Variation: Swap the Parmesan for mozzarella, cheddar, or a cheese blend for a different flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat in the microwave, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes! You can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork as a substitute for ground beef. Keep in mind that leaner meats may require a bit more seasoning to maintain flavor.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat on the stovetop with a little added liquid to keep the sauce creamy.

Can I freeze One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta?

Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it up on the stove.

Can I make this dish with a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as penne, farfalle, or macaroni. Adjust the cooking time based on the type of pasta you use.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If the sauce is too thin, cook the pasta uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can add a bit more Parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce.

Can I add more cheese to the sauce?

Yes, feel free to add more cheese if you like your sauce extra creamy and cheesy! Mozzarella or a cheese blend would work well in addition to the Parmesan.

Can I use a non-dairy alternative for the heavy cream?

Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream, cashew cream, or any non-dairy cream for a dairy-free version of the dish.

Can I add more spices to the recipe?

Definitely! If you like your pasta with more flavor, you can add additional seasonings such as oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Conclusion

One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying and easy to make. The creamy, cheesy sauce combined with hearty ground beef and tender pasta makes for a comforting meal everyone will love. Plus, with minimal cleanup, this is the kind of recipe that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy!

One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

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Author: Julia
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Made in just one pot, this easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, offering rich flavors with minimal cleanup. Customize with your favorite spices or vegetables for a meal everyone will love.

Instructions

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Season the Beef: Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in beef broth and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
Cook the Pasta: Once boiling, add the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the liquid has reduced. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish the Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the cheese to melt.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with lentils or crumbled tofu for a plant-based version.

Extra Veggies: Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the dish for added nutrition and flavor.

Spicy Version: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño for more heat.

Cheese Variety: Try mozzarella or cheddar in addition to Parmesan for a richer, cheesier flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American