Saucy Pork and Pasta

Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Saucy Pork and Pasta recipe, the ultimate weeknight dinner that's as easy to make as it is delicious. Featuring savory ground pork simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes, this dish pairs perfectly with tender penne pasta. Finished with fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, every bite is bursting with hearty, Italian-inspired goodness. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pan meal is ideal for feeding a hungry family or impressing guests with minimal effort. Serve it hot and watch this flavorful pasta dish disappear from plates in no time!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld together.

Step 6

If the sauce appears too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Let it simmer together for 1-2 minutes to warm through.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Step 9

Serve the saucy pork and pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1954.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3581.9

Total Fat 163.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 479.7mg	0%
Sodium 4545.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 312.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.0g
Protein 215.6g	0%

Vitamin D 47.6IU	0%
Calcium 1828.6mg	0%
Iron 26.1mg	0%
Potassium 3072.5mg	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: 41.1%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 34.8%