Go Back
beef ragu pappardelle
Faiza Shabir

BEEF PASTA IN TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce is a hearty, comforting, and satisfying one-pan meal that the whole family will love. Tender ground beef is simmered in a rich, garlicky tomato sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It is simple, budget-friendly, and packed with bold Italian-inspired flavors. Ready in under 40 minutes, it is the perfect weeknight dinner solution.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can 6 oz tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp sugar to balance acidity
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat.
  3. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  6. Drain excess fat from the pan.
  7. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  8. Pour in crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine.
  9. Add Italian seasoning, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
  10. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  11. Add cooked pasta into the sauce and toss well to coat every piece.
  12. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.

Notes

  • Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Use lean ground beef (90/10) to avoid excess grease in the sauce.
  • Add a pinch of sugar only if the tomatoes taste too acidic.
  • This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight.
  • Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey for a different twist.

DID YOU MAKE THIS EASY RECIPE?

If you have, then share it with us by sending a photo. We're excited to see what you've made :-)