Ground beef and pasta make an amazing combination. The saucy, beefy pasta bakes especially well. From skillet dinners to casseroles, here are 10 delicious ground beef pasta recipes to make for dinner.
Overview of Ground Beef Pasta Recipes
Ground beef pasta dishes are budget-friendly, family-pleasing meals. Here’s an overview of some tasty recipes to try:
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Skillet pastas: Quick weeknight one-pan meals like Creamy Ground Beef Pasta or No-Cook Pasta with Ground Beef.
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Baked pastas: Satisfying casseroles and bakes like Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole or Baked Ziti with Ground Beef.
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Pasta bolognese: The classic Italian meat sauce made with ground beef and pasta.
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Lasagna: Meaty, cheesy ground beef lasagna is a crowd-pleaser.
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Spaghetti and meatballs: Comforting dish with garlicky tomato sauce and beef meatballs.
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Stuffed shells: Jumbo pasta shells filled with a ricotta, ground beef mixture.
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Beef stroganoff pasta: Sirloin beef strips, mushrooms, and egg noodles in creamy sauce.
10 Ground Beef Pasta Dinner Recipes
Here are 10 delicious ground beef pasta recipes to make for your family:
1. Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
This simple skillet pasta uses lean ground beef, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cream, and seasonings. It comes together quickly for a fast weeknight dinner but tastes like it simmered for hours. Toss with hot cooked pasta and serve.
2. Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 50 mins
For this hearty casserole, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Combine with tomato sauce, cooked ziti, and shredded mozzarella and parmesan. Top with more cheese and bake until bubbly.
3. Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
Cook the ground beef with onion and garlic and stir in cream of mushroom soup and milk to make a creamy sauce. Toss with egg noodles, frozen mixed veggies, and cheddar cheese. Bake until heated through.
4. Simple Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Make Italian-style beef meatballs seasoned with garlic, parmesan, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Simmer in a simple tomato basil sauce and serve over hot spaghetti. Offer grated parmesan on the side.
5. Ground Beef Lasagna
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
Make an easy meat sauce by simmering ground beef and sausage with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Layer the meaty sauce with noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan then bake until bubbly.
6. Pasta Bolognese
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 20 mins
For this hearty meat sauce, cook the ground beef with onions, garlic, carrots, tomato paste, wine, tomatoes, herbs and simmer. Toss with hot cooked pasta like fettuccine. Garnish with parsley and parmesan.
7. Beef Stroganoff Pasta
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 40 mins
Cook sliced sirloin strips with mushrooms and onion. Make a creamy sauce with broth, tomato paste, mustard, and sour cream. Toss the beef mixture with egg noodles or fettuccine.
8. No-Cook Pasta with Ground Beef
- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
For this 5-ingredient no-cook pasta, stir together cooked and drained ground beef, uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and Italian dressing. Enjoy this fast meal without heating it up.
9. Skillet Hamburger Helper
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 25 mins
Cook the ground beef with onions and garlic. Make a cheesy sauce with milk, cream cheese, and cheddar. Toss with egg noodles. Just like the boxed version but homemade.
10. Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
Brown the ground beef with taco seasoning and toss with pasta, salsa, corn, black beans, and Cheddar cheese. Top with tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice.
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef Pasta
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Cook ground beef fully to 165°F internal temperature. Break up meat so no large pieces remain.
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Drain excess grease after browning ground beef to prevent a greasy pasta dish.
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For extra flavor, sauté aromatics like garlic, onions, and mushrooms with the beef.
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Look for 90% lean or leaner ground beef to limit fat. Or drain well after cooking.
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Prevent pasta from getting dry in casseroles by mixing some sauce in with the noodles before baking.
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Undercook pasta by 2-3 minutes if it will be baked. The pasta continues cooking in the oven.
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For a creamier texture, stir in sour cream, cream cheese, or half and half.
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Try adding frozen mixed vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or spinach.
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Top with shredded mozzarella or parmesan for a cheesy dish.
With ground beef and pasta, you can make satisfying skillet dinners, baked pastas, or traditional favorites like lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs. These protein-packed meals are budget-friendly and full of family-pleasing flavor.
Easy & Healthy Ground Beef Rice Bowls
FAQ
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