Description
This One-Pot Beef Ragu Pasta is a comforting and hearty Italian-American dish that combines savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and tender pasta all cooked together for effortless cleanup. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it delivers deep flavors with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Additions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and whole milk. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the pot, stir to combine, and cover the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Season and Serve: Season the ragu with salt and pepper to taste. Just before serving, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute some or all of the ground beef with Italian sausage.
- Add chopped carrots or celery for extra depth and nutrition.
- You can use either penne or rigatoni pasta depending on your preference.
- If the sauce thickens too much during cooking, add additional beef broth or water to adjust consistency.
- Whole milk adds creaminess, but you can substitute with a lower-fat milk if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
