Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce
Dive into the comfort of a classic Italian-inspired dish with this Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce recipe, a hearty and flavorful meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta coated in a robust, homemade meat sauce made with ground beef (or a beef and pork blend), crushed tomatoes, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this recipe brings authentic taste straight to your table. The sauce is enhanced with finely chopped onions, garlic, and fresh basil for a vibrant depth of flavor, while a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese provides a rich and creamy finish. With just 15 minutes of prep and a total cook time of 30 minutes, this dish is a quick yet satisfying way to please the whole family. Serve it fresh and hot, and watch it become a crowd favorite! Perfect for searches related to "easy pasta recipes," "homemade meat sauce recipe," or "quick Italian dinners."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 6 cups water
Instructions
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt and the penne pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and brown it over medium-high heat until fully cooked and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes.
Season the cooked meat with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, stirring to combine.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the sugar to balance the acidity. Stir well, reduce the heat to low, and let the meat sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the chopped fresh basil to the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce in the skillet. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Serve the penne pasta with meat sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
597 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.8 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.4 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 101 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 777 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.5 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.9 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.5 g | ||
| Protein | 32.2 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 232 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1062 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
