Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

Turn an everyday dinner into a comforting masterpiece with this hearty Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce recipe. Perfectly al dente penne is tossed in a rich, savory meat sauce made with tender ground beef, aromatic garlic, and onions, all simmered in crushed tomatoes and seasoned with Italian herbs for a burst of flavor in every bite. A hint of sugar balances the sauce's acidity, while fresh basil adds a refreshing touch, elevating this classic dish to gourmet levels. Topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, this one-pot crowd-pleaser is easy to make in just 45 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Serve it hot, enjoy it with a side of garlic bread, and watch as it becomes a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Season the cooked meat with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, stirring to combine.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Add the chopped fresh basil to the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 7

Combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce in the skillet. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Serve the penne pasta with meat sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3320.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3047.2

Total Fat 138.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 48.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 402.9mg	0%
Sodium 3518.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 312.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.9g	0%
Total Sugars 36.0g
Protein 147.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1019.5mg	0%
Iron 34.6mg	0%
Potassium 4223.3mg	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: 40.5%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 40.4%