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Comforting Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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3.8 from 12 reviews

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

Description

This Comforting Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese, served over perfectly cooked orecchiette pasta. It combines aromatic herbs and spices with a velvety sauce that makes for a satisfying and indulgent weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Meat and Seasonings

  • 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

Liquids and Dairy

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

Pasta and Herbs

  • 14 oz orecchiette pasta
  • 1 cup fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with black pepper, red chili flakes, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Remove excess fat if necessary.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavors and combine ingredients.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift any browned bits. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 8-10 minutes to thicken and develop flavor.
  5. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  6. Add Cream and Cheese: Stir the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese into the sauce. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if needed.
  7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce.
  8. Finish with Fresh Basil: Remove from heat and fold in chopped fresh basil leaves, allowing the residual heat to release their aromatic flavor.
  9. Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra parmesan or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your comforting marry me ground beef pasta!

Notes

  • Use freshly grated parmesan for a smoother and richer melt in the sauce.
  • Swanson beef broth adds depth; substitute with another good-quality beef broth if unavailable.
  • You can adjust the red chili flakes to control the heat level of the dish.
  • Orecchiette pasta is preferred for its ability to hold the sauce well, but penne or rigatoni can be used as substitutes.
  • Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

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