Pasta with a Meaty Blush

Indulge in the perfect fusion of hearty flavors and creamy decadence with this irresistible Pasta with a Meaty Blush. Combining tender pasta—choose between penne or fettuccine—with a rich and savory sauce made from browned ground beef or Italian sausage, this dish is a comforting crowd-pleaser. The sauce gets its signature "blush" hue from a luscious blend of crushed tomatoes and heavy cream, enhanced with aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, dried herbs, and a touch of parmesan for a velvety finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike. Garnished with fresh basil and an optional kick of red pepper flakes, it’s as visually stunning as it is flavorful. Serve it hot, and watch it disappear in seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Season with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce turns a light blush color. Allow it to simmer for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.

Step 9

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2069.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3143.9

Total Fat 217.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 101.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 621.1mg	0%
Sodium 4178.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 157.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.4g	0%
Total Sugars 31.6g
Protein 136.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1162.3mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 3143.4mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 20.1%