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Comforting Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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4 from 13 reviews

  • Author: Eve
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Comforting Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta is a rich and flavorful one-pot meal blending savory ground beef, aromatic herbs, and creamy parmesan sauce with tender orecchiette pasta. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it’s packed with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a subtle smoky kick from smoked paprika, finished with fresh basil for brightness.

Ingredients

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1.25 lb ground beef
  • 1.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 8 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 onion, finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced into strips
  • 1 cup fresh basil

Liquids and Dairy

  • 3 tbsp tomato paste (preferably Hunt’s)
  • 2.75 cups beef broth (preferably Swanson)
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream
  • 0.75 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Pasta

  • 14 oz orecchiette pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season with black pepper, red chili flakes, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef in the skillet. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Broth: Stir in the tomato paste until it coats the beef and onions evenly. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate into the sauce.
  4. Incorporate Pasta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the orecchiette pasta and the thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir well to combine, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the broth.
  5. Simmer Until Pasta is Tender: Cover the skillet partially and allow the pasta to simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  6. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Continue cooking gently until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  7. Add Fresh Basil: Remove from heat and fold in the fresh basil leaves to add brightness and freshness to the dish.
  8. Serve Warm: Plate the pasta immediately while warm. Optionally garnish with extra parmesan or basil if desired. Enjoy your comforting Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta!

Notes

  • Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add rich umami; make sure to slice them thinly for even distribution.
  • You can substitute orecchiette with other small pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.
  • Adjust red chili flakes according to your desired spice level.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://everecipes.com/comforting-marry-me-ground-beef-pasta-recipe-2/