Quick Italian Ground Beef Dinner

Whip up a comforting and hearty meal in just 35 minutes with this Quick Italian Ground Beef Dinner. Featuring tender penne pasta simmered to perfection in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and fragrant Italian herbs, this one-skillet dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Ground beef provides a robust base, while a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley adds the perfect finishing touch. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you crave Italian-inspired flavors without the hassle. Plus, with minimal cleanup and customizable spice levels, it’s a family-friendly favorite that’s as delicious as it is convenient. Perfect for those searching for quick pasta dinners, one-pot meals, or easy Italian recipes!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Remove excess grease from the pan if necessary, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Add the uncooked penne pasta to the skillet along with 2 cups of water. Stir to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the dish.

Step 9

Serve hot and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1790.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2400.9

Total Fat 125.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 361.1mg	0%
Sodium 2253.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 204.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.7g	0%
Total Sugars 29.2g
Protein 127.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 719.3mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 3030.3mg	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: 45.8%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 33.4%