If there’s one dinner I can always count on, it’s this beef pasta recipe. It’s the meal I reach for when my teenagers come home starving after practice, or when I just need something hearty and quick on a Tuesday night. This beef pasta recipe is packed with flavor, uses simple ingredients you probably already have,like in my creamy smoked sausage pasta, and comes together without fuss. Today, I’ll show you how to choose the best beef cuts for pasta, how to create a creamy sauce when you’re craving comfort, and what sauces bring out the rich, satisfying taste of beef pasta. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Beef Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A quick and creamy beef pasta recipe with ground beef and rich sauce for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
12 oz pasta
1 lb sirloin steak thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in skillet.
3. Add sliced beef and sear until browned.
4. Remove beef and set aside.
5. In same skillet, sauté onion and garlic.
6. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Pour in heavy cream, simmer to thicken.
8. Return beef to skillet, mix well.
9. Drain pasta and toss with sauce.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use ground beef if sirloin is unavailable.
For extra creaminess, add parmesan before serving.
Leftover roast beef works great in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Why Beef Pasta is My Go-To Meal
Growing up, beef pasta was the dish that made our small kitchen feel like a five-star restaurant. My grandma Lorraine would simmer her beef in crushed tomatoes until the whole house smelled like pure happiness. She believed a good beef pasta recipe could fix any problem, and honestly, she wasn’t wrong. Even now, when life feels a bit overwhelming, I find myself reaching for this recipe. There’s something about tender beef wrapped in pasta with a simple sauce that just calms the day’s chaos.
I love how versatile this beef pasta recipe is. Whether I’m making it with sirloin strips for a special Sunday dinner,similar to my Philly cheesesteak pasta, or ground beef when time is tight, it never disappoints. Plus, it doesn’t require fancy ingredients or hours at the stove. This is a meal you can pull together even when your brain feels fried from work emails and grocery lists. It’s comfort food in its truest form quick, filling, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin or ground beef
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream (optional for creamy version)
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Ground beef strips or ground beef. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Pour in crushed tomatoes. Stir well and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- For a creamy beef pasta recipe, stir in heavy cream and let it bubble gently for 3 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce until coated evenly.
- Sprinkle with grated parmesan and fresh parsley before serving.
Choosing Beef for Pasta Recipes
Best Cuts for Beef Pasta Recipes
When it comes to picking beef for pasta, I always think back to my grandma’s kitchen rule: “Choose beef that stays tender even after simmering.” For this beef pasta recipe, ground beef is my top choice.just like in my steak and pasta recipe. It cooks quickly, remains juicy, and slices beautifully into thin strips that blend well with pasta. Flank steak is another reliable option. It has a deeper beef flavor and, when sliced against the grain, it stays tender without feeling chewy.
If you’re aiming for something special for Sunday dinner, ribeye slices add a richer taste because of their marbling. However, if you want a budget-friendly option that still delivers great flavor, chuck steak cut into small pieces works well when simmered for longer to soften it up.
Can You Use Ground Beef for Pasta?
Absolutely. Ground beef is a practical and tasty choice for busy nights. I often grab lean ground beef when I need dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. It browns quickly, soaks up seasoning easily, and gives your sauce a hearty texture that feels like pure comfort food. The key is to drain any excess fat after browning so your pasta sauce doesn’t become greasy.
Using ground beef also lets you stretch your grocery budget while still making a meal that feels filling and home-cooked. It’s my secret weapon when my kids invite friends over unexpectedly because it pairs well with creamy sauces, tomato sauces, and even light garlic butter for different variations of this beef pasta recipe.
Making Creamy Beef Pasta
How Do You Make Beef Pasta Creamy?
Adding cream at the end turns your beef pasta recipe into a luscious meal. After cooking your beef and deglazing the pan with a little broth or reserved pasta water, stir in heavy cream or half and half. Let it bubble for a few minutes until thickened. For extra creaminess, stir in grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Alternative Creamy Options
If you prefer dairy-free, use coconut cream or oat cream. Both create a velvety sauce without overpowering the beef’s flavor. Make sure to adjust seasoning, as plant-based creams can be slightly sweeter.
Perfect Sauces for Beef Pasta
Best Sauces for Beef Pasta Recipes
Beef pasta is versatile enough to work with many sauces. Tomato-based sauces remain a classic choice because the acidity cuts through the beef’s richness, creating balance. For instance, crushed tomatoes cooked with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning make a bright, hearty sauce that never fails.
Quick Sauce Variations for Beef Pasta
When you’re short on time, try a garlic butter sauce. Melt butter in your skillet after cooking beef, stir in minced garlic until fragrant, then toss in pasta and beef. Another quick option is to use jarred alfredo sauce. Stir it into your cooked beef, add black pepper, and warm through for a creamy dinner ready in minutes.
FAQs About Beef Pasta Recipe
What is the best cut of beef for pasta?
Ground beef is ideal because it stays tender and cooks quickly. Flank steak is also great if sliced thinly against the grain.
How do you make creamy beef pasta?
Brown the beef, add heavy cream, and simmer briefly. Stir in grated parmesan for a thicker, smooth sauce.
Can I use ground beef for pasta recipes?
Yes. Ground beef cooks fast and absorbs flavors easily, making it perfect for quick, hearty pasta dinners.
What sauce goes well with beef pasta?
Tomato-based sauces and creamy parmesan sauces pair wonderfully with beef pasta recipes.
Conclusion
This beef pasta recipe is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.just like my baked ziti with meatballs when you crave Italian-American classics. Whether you use ground beef, flank, or ground beef, this meal promises warmth and satisfaction at the end of a busy day. Keep these simple tips and sauce ideas in your back pocket, and you’ll always have a dinner that brings everyone to the table with smiles and full hearts.
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