A quick comfort meal with big flavour
Lina: Okay, Samad I’m officially adding this one pot beef pasta to my weeknight survival kit. It’s cozy, quick, and the kids inhaled it.
Samad: Same here! One pot, zero fuss, and pure comfort. Honestly, this one pot beef pasta is perfect for Canadian families who want big flavour without the mountain of dishes.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This One Pot Beef Pasta
Lina: You know what I love most about this recipe? No boiling the pasta separately. Everything cooks in one pot, which means fewer dishes and all the flavour stays right where it should in the pot.
Samad: Exactly. The beef, onions, garlic, and sauce simmer together with the pasta so every bite is rich and savoury. And it’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Lina: Plus, it’s one of those meals where leftovers taste even better the next day. Hello, lunchbox win.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Samad: Nothing fancy here. Just simple pantry staples and a few fridge basics.
Lina: And don’t worry, we’re not measuring garlic with our hearts today. We’ll give you the real numbers unless you’re feeling rebellious.
For the one pot beef pasta:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 450g ground beef
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can (796ml) diced tomatoes
- 300g short pasta (like penne or rotini)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- Fresh parsley or basil, to garnish (optional)
Samad: If you’re in a rush, swap fresh garlic for garlic powder and it still works great.
Lina: And if you want to sneak in some veggies? Toss in a handful of spinach or frozen peas at the end. Boom. Balanced.
Let’s Get Cooking (One Pot Only!)
Step-by-step instructions for easy cleanup and max flavour
Lina: Grab your favourite deep pan or Dutch oven we’re about to make dinner magic.
Samad: Here we go:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Sauté the onions for 2–3 minutes until soft, then stir in the garlic.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 mins.
- Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes (with juice). Stir well.
- Add your uncooked pasta. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Stir in cream or milk, then cheese. Let it melt into creamy goodness.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, garnish if you’re feeling fancy. Done!
Lina: If it gets too thick, just splash in a bit more broth or water to loosen it up.
Samad: Oh, and don’t skip the cheese at the end. It’s the grand finale.
If you enjoyed our cheesy one-pot ground beef rice, you’ll absolutely fall for this pasta version with juicy ground beef and rich tomato sauce.
Storage & Leftover Tips
Lina: This one’s a total meal prep hero.
Samad: Yep! Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to bring it back to life.
Lina: You can even freeze it for up to 2 months. Just skip the dairy if you plan to freeze and add it when reheating.
When to Serve This Dish
Samad: This one pot beef pasta is a go-to for:
- Busy weeknights
- Cozy Sunday suppers
- Potlucks (it’s a crowd-pleaser)
- Snowy days when you want comfort in a bowl
Lina: Basically, whenever you’re tired, hungry, and in need of a hug from your food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat?
Samad: Totally! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles. Just make sure to adjust seasoning as needed.
What’s the best pasta for this recipe?
Lina: Short pasta like penne, rotini, or fusilli works best because they hold onto the sauce. But honestly, use whatever you’ve got in the cupboard.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Samad: For sure. Use a plant-based milk and cheese substitute, or skip the dairy altogether. It’ll still taste rich because of the tomato-beef base.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Lina: 100%! It’s cheesy, saucy, and not spicy. Even picky eaters usually love it just maybe dice the onions really small so they “disappear.”
How do I double the recipe?
Samad: Use a bigger pot and just double everything. Add an extra splash of broth if it looks too thick while cooking.
Final Thoughts from Our Kitchen
Lina: We hope this one pot beef pasta brings a little joy to your table.
Samad: And don’t forget the best meals are the ones shared with family.
One Pot Beef Pasta
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 450 g ground beef
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes 796ml, with juice
- 300 g short pasta penne, rotini, etc.
- 0.5 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- fresh parsley or basil optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. Cook until no longer pink.
- Stir in tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with juice. Stir well.
- Add uncooked pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Stir in cream and cheese. Mix until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Reheat with a splash of broth if leftovers get too thick.
Freezer-friendly: Skip dairy if freezing and add it when reheating.
