One Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef, for those busy nights!

One-Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef is the main dish to make when you are hungry, or you just want pasta. And when you just don't know what to do about dinner, again, because it is that delicious!

We all need to get a great tasting dinner on the table. Pretty much every night...

Who wouldn't want a simple to make, one-pot dinner that the whole family will love? I should think everyone, that's who! Fortunately, the absolute only preplanning necessary for this dish is remembering to thaw the ground beef, and that is only if you keep it in the freezer! See, this recipe really is super easy...and you can serve your pasta two ways. With a chunky tomato sauce or a traditional one. We have made this with both regular spaghetti noodles and whole wheat spaghetti. Here is a quote from my husband, "it is hard to make whole wheat spaghetti taste good, but this is really good!" 

 

You can completely customize this for your family's preferences.  

One-Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef is completely adaptable. If you like your Ragu on the sweeter side, that's OK. If you love garlic, or possibly not at all (OMG, really!?), that's OK too. If you like more pasta than sauce, even that's OK. Because measuring suggestions have been offered to accommodate everyone with this recipe. Once everything is cooked perfectly, all you have to do is toss it together and serve. Oh and by the way, don't forget to pass the Parmesan!

Because pasta is such a family favorite, you may find yourself serving this time and time again as the meals fly by. But it doesn't always need to be the same old bowl of spaghetti. So we came up with some additional ideas, come and take a look! Serve it your way, the sky is the limit...

Some additional flavor ideas for this recipe:

Love Italian Sausage in your sauce? Use half ground beef and half Italian Sausage. 

Do you have some fresh spinach in the fridge? Add a handful or two to the pan for the last 5 minutes of cooking time. 

Something with a bit more flavor? Add a diced red pepper when saluting the onion and sliced black olives right before you serve it!

Don't want to add sugar? Grate a large carrot and sauté it along with the onion for a natural sweetness. 

Out of spaghetti noodles? Macaroni works just fine, simply adjust the cooking time for the pasta. 

Like Chili Mac? Add a tablespoon of your favorite chili seasoning and top with grated cheddar cheese.  

Like lots of sauce on your pasta? Use 12 oz. pasta, or if you prefer a drier bowl of pasta, use the full 16 oz. 

For those (like me!) who can have trouble eating too much tomato, this trick helps. Add 1 t baking soda to the sauce during the simmering time. 

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• lean ground beef
• spaghetti 
• onion
• garlic
• canned tomatoes
• canned tomato sauce
• beef broth
• salt & pepper
• oregano
• sugar
• olive oil

You will also need the following:

• large pan with lid
• stirring spoon
• cutting board
• kitchen knife
• measuring spoons

Now we are ready to begin!

One-Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef, chunky or traditional!
by the seat of my pants!

UPDATED: 04.25.2024

1 large onion, diced
2 to 4 cloves garlic - chopped, use as much as your family enjoys
1 pound extra-lean ground beef - pinched into small pieces

olive oil as needed for sautéing
2 - 14 1/2 oz. cans diced tomatoes - do NOT drain

OR

1 can diced tomatoes and 1 16 oz. can tomato sauce
2 T tomato paste - if using only the diced tomatoes
3 c beef broth
1 t oregano
1 1/2 t salt
fresh ground pepper
1 - 3 t sugar (if you are fond of a sweeter Ragu, use the full amount)

12 - 16 oz. whole wheat spaghetti - broken (use what works for your family)

Parmesan Cheese

Peel the outside layers off the onion, rinse and dry if needed. Dice into small 1/4 inch pieces.

In the bottom of a large pan, add 2 T olive oil. Layer the diced onions, chopped garlic, ground beef. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the ground beef is beginning to brown. 

Add the canned diced tomatoes or the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce for a smoother style sauce, along with the beef broth and the seasonings. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Remove the lid, stir well, making sure the ground beef is in separate pieces, add the broken spaghetti. Stir again.

Cover and cook for 10 minutes, remove the lid, cook an additional 5 minutes or until pasta is done to your liking, stirring once or twice.

Offer Parmesan cheese at the table.

Storage options for One Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. This recipe may be frozen, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of One Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef has been included below. 

You may also enjoy:

 Meatballs and Onions in Paprika Sour Cream Sauce. 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

One-Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef
by the seat of my pants!

UPDATED: 04.25.2024

1 large onion, diced
2 to 4 cloves garlic - chopped, use as much as your family enjoys
1 pound extra-lean ground beef - pinched into small pieces

olive oil as needed for sautéing
2 - 14 1/2 oz. cans diced tomatoes - do NOT drain

OR

1 can diced tomatoes and 1 16 oz. can tomato sauce
2 T tomato paste - if using only the diced tomatoes
3 c beef broth
1 t oregano
1 1/2 t salt
fresh ground pepper
1 - 3 t sugar (if you are fond of a sweeter Ragu, use the full amount)

12 - 16 oz. whole wheat spaghetti - broken (use what works for your family)

Parmesan Cheese

Peel the outside layers off the onion, rinse and dry if needed. Dice into small 1/4 inch pieces.

In the bottom of a large pan, add 2 T olive oil. Layer the diced onions, chopped garlic, ground beef. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the ground beef is beginning to brown. 

Add the canned diced tomatoes or the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce for a smoother style sauce, along with the beef broth and the seasonings. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Remove the lid, stir well, making sure the ground beef is in separate pieces, add the broken spaghetti. Stir again.

Cover and cook for 10 minutes, remove the lid, cook an additional 5 minutes or until pasta is done to your liking, stirring once or twice.

Offer Parmesan cheese at the table.

Storage options for One Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. This recipe may be frozen, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. 

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