If you love comforting meals that come together quickly without sacrificing flavor, then the One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe will instantly become one of your go-tos. This dish combines the hearty goodness of seasoned ground beef with the tangy richness of tomato and the luscious creaminess that coats every bite of tender pasta. It’s pure dinner magic happening in one pot, minimizing mess and maximizing taste, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings where everyone wants a warm plate full of joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor, texture, and vibrant color. From aromatic garlic to the creamy finish of heavy cream, these essentials come together simply but make a big impact on the final dish.
- Olive oil: Adds a smooth richness and the perfect base for sautéing garlic and onions.
- Garlic cloves (finely minced): Infuse the dish with their unmistakable aroma and a punch of flavor.
- Onion (finely chopped): Provides natural sweetness and depth as it softens in the pot.
- Beef mince/ground beef: Brings hearty protein and a satisfying meaty texture throughout.
- Italian herbs: A fragrant blend of herbs that elevates the tomato sauce’s complexity.
- Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and adds a hint of sweetness.
- Crushed tomatoes (or tomato passata): The saucy base offering vibrant color and classic tomato tang.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Introduce just a touch of heat to keep each bite exciting.
- Cooking salt/kosher salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds mild spiciness and warmth.
- Chicken stock/broth (low sodium): Provides the liquid foundation to cook pasta and infuse savory depth.
- Pasta (fusilli, penne, elbow macaroni, or other short pasta): The hearty starch that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- Thickened/heavy cream: Creates that dreamy, creamy finish that turns simple pasta into a soul-warming meal.
- Parmesan cheese (finely grated): Adds a nutty, salty topping to crown the dish perfectly.
- Parsley (finely chopped, optional): Brings a fresh pop of green and brightness to finish.
How to Make One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Garlic and Onion
The magic starts with heating olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over high heat. Toss in the finely minced garlic and chopped onions, and cook them for about a minute and a half. This step softens the aromatics and releases their fragrances, creating a flavorful foundation that will carry through the whole dish.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Seasonings
Next, add your ground beef to the pot. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks, ensuring every bit turns brown and no pink remains. Then sprinkle in the Italian herbs and stir them through for 30 seconds to toast their flavors lightly. Follow with tomato paste and cook it for a minute so its raw edge mellows out, deepening the sauce’s richness.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes, Stock, and Pasta
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a subtle kick. Stir everything together, then add the pasta straight into the pot. This is where the convenience shines as pasta cooks directly in the flavorful sauce, absorbing every bit of deliciousness.
Step 4: Simmer and Cook the Pasta
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes and more often near the end. This attention keeps the pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensures even cooking. Watch as the sauce thickens and the pasta becomes tender but still perfectly al dente.
Step 5: Stir in the Cream
Pour in the thickened cream and simmer for another one to two minutes. You’ll notice the sauce becomes beautifully silky and saucy — just the way you want it. Don’t worry if it seems a little loose; the pasta will happily soak up the creamy tomato goodness once served.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the pot from heat and give everything a final good stir. Spoon the pasta into bowls and sprinkle generously with finely grated Parmesan and fresh parsley if using. This little finishing touch adds that final burst of flavor and color, making it irresistible.
How to Serve One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an absolute must—it melts slightly over warm pasta and brings out the dish’s savory notes. If you want a fresh herbal lift, scatter chopped parsley on top for a gentle brightness that balances the creaminess and richness of the beef and tomato sauce.
Side Dishes
This pasta is a satisfying all-in-one meal, but you can round it out with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the creaminess. Garlic bread or crusty bread are excellent additions too, perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce and adding a crunchy texture.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe in colorful bowls to showcase the vibrant tomato sauce. For a dinner party, garnish each serving with a sprig of fresh herbs and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for an elegant touch. You could even pack leftovers into individual mason jars—portable and perfect for a quick lunch the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to three days and tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded together further.
Freezing
This dish freezes nicely if you want to prepare in advance. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers over low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Microwave reheating works too—just cover the container and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! While ground beef is classic, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based mince for a different but equally delicious twist on this recipe.
What pasta works best for this recipe?
Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or elbow macaroni work best because they hold the sauce beautifully. Avoid long thin pasta as it is harder to cook evenly in one pot.
Is the red pepper flakes addition mandatory?
Nope! Red pepper flakes are optional and only add a mild heat. You can leave them out if you prefer a milder dish or adjust the amount to suit your spice tolerance.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, swap heavy cream for coconut cream or any plant-based cream alternative, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for that cheesy flavor.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
Stir regularly as the pasta cooks and ensure there’s enough liquid in the pot. This recipe’s liquid-to-pasta ratio helps prevent sticking, but frequent stirring towards the end is key.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a wonderfully balanced meal that brings hearty, creamy, and tangy flavors all in one pot, this One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe is a winner every time. It’s simple enough for weeknights yet delicious enough to impress family and friends. Give it a try and I promise it will become a beloved staple in your kitchen just as it is in mine!
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One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 5 servings 1x
Description
This one pot creamy tomato beef pasta is a delicious and hearty meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Ground beef simmers with garlic, onion, and Italian herbs in a rich tomato sauce, combined with pasta cooked directly in the sauce for an easy, flavorful dish finished with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a creamy, comforting finish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500g (1 lb) beef mince (ground beef)
- 2 tsp Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 400g (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups (1 L) low sodium chicken stock or broth
- 350g (12 oz) short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cups thickened (heavy) cream
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated, for serving
- Parsley, finely chopped, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté: Heat olive oil over high heat in a large heavy-based pot. Add the finely minced garlic and chopped onion and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes, until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook beef & seasonings: Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink. Stir in the Italian herbs and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to remove its raw flavor.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything to combine, then add the pasta directly into the pot.
- Simmer pasta: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes, increasing stirring frequency toward the end to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook until the pasta is just tender but still firm.
- Add cream: Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened but still saucy, ensuring the pasta remains moist.
- Serve: Remove from heat and give the pasta one last good stir. Serve into bowls topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if using.
Notes
- Italian herbs can be a blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
- Using low sodium chicken stock allows better control of the saltiness of the dish.
- Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or elbow macaroni work best to hold the sauce well.
- The sauce will be quite saucy when serving since the pasta continues to absorb liquid.
- Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty finish perfectly complementing the creamy tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
