Penne with Meat Sauce
Savor the comforting flavors of this hearty Penne with Meat Sauce, a classic Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Tender penne pasta is smothered in a rich, savory meat sauce made with sautéed onions, garlic, and perfectly browned ground beef, simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and fragrant herbs like oregano and basil. A pinch of sugar balances the tanginess of the sauce, while a generous topping of grated Parmesan and optional fresh basil adds the ultimate finishing touch. Ready in just under an hour and serving up to four, this easy pasta recipe delivers bold, comforting flavors with every bite. Whether you're cooking for family or looking for a satisfying leftover-friendly meal, this penne with meat sauce is sure to become a dinnertime favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is completely browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
Season the cooked beef with salt and black pepper. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the paste to coat the meat.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and sugar to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and enhance the flavors.
Toss the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce until well coated.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3467 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 154.0 g | 197% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.3 g | 272% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 395 mg | 132% | |
| Sodium | 4575 mg | 199% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 366.5 g | 133% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.8 g | 117% | |
| Total Sugars | 45.8 g | ||
| Protein | 168.1 g | 336% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 932 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 33.3 mg | 185% | |
| Potassium | 4997 mg | 106% | |
*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.
