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Indulgent Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce: Your New Go-To Comfort Dish

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce
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This hearty Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce brings rich Italian flavors and minimal cleanup, perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic cloves
  • 1 medium onion
  • 500g/1 lb beef mince (ground beef)
  • 2 tsp Italian herbs
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 400g/14 oz crushed tomatoes (or tomato passata)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (chilli flakes, optional)
  • 1½ tsp cooking salt/kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 4 cups (1 L) chicken stock/broth (low sodium)
  • 350g/12 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, elbow macaroni, shells)
  • ¾ cup thickened/heavy cream
  • to taste Parmesan cheese
  • to taste parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over high heat. Add finely minced garlic and chopped onion; sauté for 1½ minutes until fragrant and softened, filling your kitchen with a cozy aroma.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon; cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in Italian herbs and cook for 30 seconds to toast, then add tomato paste, cooking for another minute to reduce the raw flavor.
  3. Mix in crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well, then add your pasta, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the sauce for optimal flavor absorption.
  4. Bring everything to a simmer and cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes initially, then more frequently as it thickens. The pasta should be just tender, with a reduced but still saucy texture.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce is creamy and the pasta is fully cooked.
  6. Remove from heat and stir gently to combine. Ladle the creamy pasta into bowls and top with grated Parmesan and an optional sprinkle of parsley.

Notes

  • Liquid Management: The sauce may seem watery when you finish cooking, but the pasta will absorb it quickly.
  • Sautéing Time: Always sauté the garlic and onion until softened and fragrant.
  • Season with Care: Using chicken stock instead of water really elevates the flavor of the sauce.
  • Choose Your Pasta Wisely: Stick to medium-sized short pastas for even cooking.
  • Creamy Finish: Incorporate the heavy cream at the end to avoid curdling.
  • Don’t Freeze: Because of the cream, freezing this dish is not recommended.

Nutrition

Keywords: Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce

Find it online: https://infinityrecipes.com/beef-pasta-in-tomato-sauce/