3 Easy and Comforting Pasta Recipes with Ground Beef
Is there a more reliable and beloved combination for a satisfying dinner than ground beef and pasta?
It’s the starting point for so many comforting meals that can please even the pickiest eaters.
Today, we’re diving into three classic and delicious pasta recipes with ground beef that are perfect for any night of the week.
We will begin with a simple yet deeply flavorful Weeknight Meat Sauce, a quicker take on a classic bolognese.
Then, we’ll create a family favorite with a creamy and cheesy Beef and Macaroni Bake, a dish that’s pure comfort in a casserole dish.
Finally, we’ll whip up a batch of delicious and easy Stuffed Shells, perfect for a slightly more special occasion.
These recipes are your blueprint for turning a simple package of ground beef into a fantastic and hearty dinner. Let’s get that water boiling!
Essential Tools
- Large Dutch Oven or a Heavy-Bottomed Pot
- Large Skillet
- 9×13 inch Baking Dish
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Large Pot for Cooking Pasta
- Colander
- Cheese Grater
Recipe 1: Quick Weeknight Meat Sauce
This is a rich and savory sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all day but comes together in under an hour, perfect for a busy evening.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 45 minutes | 1 hour | 6-8 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: 1.5 lbs.
- Aromatics: 1 large onion, 2 carrots, and 2 celery ribs, all finely chopped.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced.
- Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 oz) can.
- Beef Broth: 1 cup.
- Seasonings: 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil.
- Pasta: 1 lb, such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
- Garnish: Grated Parmesan cheese.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Vegetables
First, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned. Drain off any excess fat from the pot. Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery (the mirepoix) to the pot with the beef.
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until all the vegetables are very soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the beef broth, using your spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, the dried oregano, and the dried basil. Bring the entire sauce to a simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes.
A longer simmer of up to an hour will result in an even richer, more developed flavor. While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Serve the meat sauce over the hot pasta, garnished with a generous amount of grated Parmesan.
Recipe 2: Cheesy Beef and Macaroni Casserole
This is the ultimate comfort food bake. It’s a simple, savory, and cheesy one-dish meal that is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 35-40 minutes | 55 minutes | 8 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: 1.5 lbs.
- Onion: 1, chopped.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Tomato Sauce: 2 (15 oz) cans.
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 (15 oz) can, drained.
- Elbow Macaroni: 1 lb, cooked to al dente.
- Seasonings: 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp each salt and pepper.
- Shredded Cheese: 3 cups, a mix of mozzarella and cheddar is great.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce and Pasta
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Cook your macaroni according to the package directions until it is just al dente, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion.
Once the beef is cooked through, drain the fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the two cans of tomato sauce, the drained diced tomatoes, and all the seasonings.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained macaroni with the beef and tomato sauce. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese to the bowl and stir everything together until it’s well combined.
Pour this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese all over the top. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and golden-brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe 3: Classic Ricotta and Beef Stuffed Shells
These look impressive and special, but they are surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for a family dinner or for entertaining.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 minutes | 30-35 minutes | 1 hour | 6 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: 1 lb.
- Jumbo Pasta Shells: 1 (12 oz) box.
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 (15 oz) container, whole milk.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups, divided.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup.
- Egg: 1, beaten.
- Marinara Sauce: 1 (24 oz) jar.
- Seasonings: 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Components
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and cook the jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions.
While they cook, brown the ground beef in a skillet. Drain the fat and let the beef cool. When the shells are al dente, drain them and set them aside.
Pour about half of the jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Filling and Assemble
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, the beaten egg, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir in the cooled, cooked ground beef.
Mix everything together until it is well combined. Using a small spoon, carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the cheesy beef filling. Place the filled shells in a single layer in the baking dish, on top of the sauce.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and top with the final cup of mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly.
The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients
- Mirepoix (Bolognese): The classic trio of finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery is the sweet, aromatic, and savory foundation of a true bolognese sauce, adding a depth of flavor that onion alone cannot provide.
- Cheddar Cheese (Goulash): The sharp, savory flavor of cheddar is the classic choice for American-style casseroles. It provides a distinct, tangy flavor and a beautiful golden-brown color when baked.
- Ricotta Cheese (Stuffed Shells): This is the key to a creamy, luscious filling. Whole milk ricotta provides a rich, slightly sweet, and soft texture that beautifully complements the savory ground beef and mozzarella.
- Ground Beef: The common thread in all these dishes. Using a lean ground beef (like 90/10) is a good choice for these recipes, as it provides a rich, beefy flavor without making the final dish greasy.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Storage: Let any leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the meat sauce, it’s best to store the sauce and pasta separately.
- Reheating: Reheat pasta sauces gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Casseroles and stuffed shells can be reheated in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or in the microwave for individual portions.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| My sauce or casserole is greasy. | It is very important to thoroughly drain all the excess fat from the ground beef after browning it and before adding the other sauce ingredients. This is the number one step to prevent a greasy result. |
| My baked pasta is dry. | You likely didn’t use enough sauce. Pasta absorbs a lot of liquid as it bakes. For the macaroni bake and stuffed shells, be generous with the sauce to ensure the final dish is moist and not dry. |
| My stuffed shells are watery. | This can happen if you use a watery ricotta. Some brands have more liquid than others. If your ricotta seems very wet, you can let it drain in a fine-mesh sieve for about 15-20 minutes before you make your filling. |
| My one-pan goulash pasta is mushy. | You overcooked it. Once you add the uncooked pasta to the sauce, it’s important to stir it occasionally and start checking for doneness a couple of minutes before the package directions indicate. |
FAQs
Can I make any of these recipes spicy?
Yes, absolutely. The easiest way to add a spicy kick to any of these recipes is to add ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce as it simmers.
You could also brown a spicy Italian sausage along with the ground beef.
Can I prepare these dishes ahead of time?
The bolognese sauce is perfect for making ahead and tastes even better the next day. The macaroni casserole and stuffed shells can both be fully assembled (but not baked), covered, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before you need to bake them.
You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Can I use a different type of ground meat for these recipes?
Yes, all of these recipes are very forgiving and work well with other ground meats.
You can easily substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based ground meat substitute for a different flavor profile.
Enjoy Your Comforting Pasta Dinner!
You now have three fantastic and reliable pasta recipes with ground beef that are perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Italian-inspired sauce, a cheesy one-pan meal, or an impressive baked dish, there’s a perfect option here for you. Enjoy!
