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–+ servings
a skillet with creamy ground beef pasta and parmesan
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4.73 from 68 votes

Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

This ground beef pasta recipe tastes like it's been cooked low and slow, but it's ready in about 30 minutes! It's perfect for busy weeknights and has simple ingredients.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy beef pasta, ground beef pasta
Servings: 4
Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard see note
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste

Instructions

  • Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions.
  • Add the onion and olive oil to a large skillet (or small pot/Dutch oven) and cook for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat.
  • Add in the ground beef and garlic and continue cooking for another 8 minutes or so until the beef has browned (break the meat up with your spoon as you go along). Spoon out excess fat if there's a lot of it.
  • Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 4-5 minutes or until the sauce has reduced somewhat.
  • Stir in the cream and cook for another 3-5 minutes (it'll warm through and reduce a bit).
  • Season generously with salt & pepper as needed and toss with the drained pasta. Serve with parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • The Dijon mustard isn't totally necessary (you don't have to buy a jar just for this recipe), but it's great for building flavor in sauces like this one, so I always keep some in my fridge. You can always taste and add more if needed.
  • Feel free to up the Italian seasoning if you want a stronger herby flavor. I personally prefer just a hint in this recipe.
  • You can use a can of tomato sauce instead of the diced tomatoes if you don't like pieces of tomatoes (or try petite diced tomatoes).

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 849mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 894IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 5mg