Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta (With Creamy Tomato Sauce)

Cook Time:22

Total Time:22

Equipment

Oven-proof skillet

Ingredients

¾ pound penne pasta
1 pound ground beef (85% or 90% lean is best)
24 ounce jarred marinara sauce (nice quality such as Rao's)
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup parmesan
1½ cups shredded mozzarella
¼ cup salted butter

Instructions

Cook the pasta. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the penne pasta until al dente or one minute less than al dente, as it will continue cooking in the sauce. Drain and set aside.
Cook the meat and add marinara sauce. In an oven-proof skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. If there is excess grease, drain some of it off (if using 85-90% lean beef, this step may not be necessary). Next, add the jarred marinara sauce to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Add the cream and parmesan. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is heated through and begins to simmer again.
Add the pasta. Adjust the oven rack so that is 2 inches away from the broiler and preheat it to high. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to combine and simmer for 1 minute to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce.
Layer cheese on top. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cut the salted butter into small pats and distribute them evenly over the cheese.
Broil until golden. Place the skillet under the broiler. Broil for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Notes

This kind of dish is simple, so using good ingredients can make a difference. Try to use a high-quality jarred marinara sauce or even a homemade one.

Freshly grated cheese will generally melt better and taste superior, so homemade or premium brands like Rao's work well.

Using 85-90% lean ground beef strikes the perfect balance. It gives you enough fat for flavor without making the dish greasy. If your beef is on the fattier side, don’t hesitate to drain off some of the excess fat after cooking.

Even though the recipe doesn't say so, you might want to season your beef as it's cooking with a bit of salt and pepper. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Consider topping the finished dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley to add a bit of color and freshness.

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick or stir in some fresh basil or Italian seasoning before adding the pasta. This can add a fresh, aromatic touch to the dish.

You can also replace the ground beef with a plant-based substitute or add extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor.

Nutrition

Servings: servings

Calories: 665kcal

Author: Katie