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One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta

One pot creamy tomato beef pasta in large pot with wooden spoon and fresh basil garnish
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A simple one pot dinner featuring ground beef, tender pasta, and rich tomato cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean recommended)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2.5 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated works best)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot (at least 5-6 quarts) over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until nicely browned. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Add diced onions to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth, stirring well to combine. Bring to a gentle bubble.
  4. Add uncooked pasta directly into the pot, pressing it down gently so most pieces are covered by the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer.
  5. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking. Pasta should be tender and most liquid absorbed. Add more broth (1/4 cup at a time) if needed.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until cheese melts completely and sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

  • Use a large pot (at least 5-6 quarts) to ensure pasta has enough room to cook properly.
  • Penne or rigatoni pasta works best – their shape catches the sauce perfectly. Farfalle is also a good option.
  • Always remove from heat before adding cream to prevent curdling.
  • Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/one-pot-creamy-tomato-beef-pasta/