Creamy Pasta Minced Meat Tomato (Printer-Friendly)
Pasta tossed with creamy tomato sauce, minced meat, and herbs for a quick, flavorful meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta and Cream
01 -
10.5 ounces dried penne or fusilli pasta
02 -
0.85 cup heavy cream (30% fat), or substitute plain whole milk yogurt
→ Sauce and Meat
03 -
14 ounces tomato sauce
04 -
14 ounces ground beef or pork, or substitute ground poultry
→ Aromatics
05 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
→ Seasonings
07 -
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as oregano or basil)
08 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Fats and Finishing
09 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 -
1.75 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside, reserving some cooking water if needed.
02 -
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
03 -
Add ground meat to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Cook, stirring and breaking apart any lumps, until the meat is browned throughout and no longer pink.
04 -
Pour in tomato sauce and sprinkle in Italian herbs. Stir well. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 -
Lower the heat and add heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the sauce is fully incorporated and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 -
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If needed, add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
07 -
Divide pasta among plates. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with plain yogurt or use lean poultry ground meat. Add your favorite vegetables, such as bell pepper or spinach, for extra nutrition and color.