If you’re looking for a delicious, quick, and easy one-pot meal, look no further!
This Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta recipe is a fantastic weekday meal for busy families, and the best part is that it’s ready in under 30 minutes.
With its rich, savory flavors and creamy texture, it’s bound to become a favorite in your household.
Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients
- 12 oz Campanella pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups spinach, packed
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 Tbs oil from sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 Tbs tomato paste
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 1/2 tsp pink salt
Instructions
- Cooking the Ground Beef
- Start by heating a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef along with 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of onion powder, 1 tsp of paprika, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper.
- Cook the beef for about 5 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. You want the beef to be nicely browned and fully cooked.
- Adding the Vegetables
- Once the beef is cooked, add the diced onion, minced garlic, butter, sun-dried tomatoes, the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste to the pot.
- Sauté these ingredients for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the onions to soften and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Incorporating the Pasta and Liquids
- Next, add the Campanella pasta to the pot along with the beef broth, milk, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of onion powder, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, and 1 1/2 tsp of salt.
- Stir everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquids.
- Simmering the Pasta
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
- At the 10-minute mark, remove the lid, give the pasta a good stir, and check if it’s done to your liking. If needed, continue cooking for a few more minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Finishing Touches
- Once the pasta is cooked to perfection, remove the pot from the heat. Add in the packed spinach and stir until it wilts from the residual heat.
- Finally, sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and give it a thorough mix. This will add a wonderful creamy texture and rich flavor to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Your Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it hot with some extra Parmesan cheese on the side for an added cheesy kick. This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad and a slice of crusty garlic bread.
Tips for Success
- Pasta Choice: While Campanella pasta works great in this recipe, feel free to use any pasta shape you have on hand. Penne, fusilli, or rigatoni would all be excellent alternatives.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes adds extra flavor to the dish. Make sure to roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes so they distribute evenly throughout the pasta.
- Spinach: If you prefer, you can substitute the spinach with kale or arugula. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as these greens may take a bit longer to wilt.
This Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta is truly a delightful meal that can be whipped up in no time.
It’s perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want something comforting and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Give it a try, and it might just become a staple in your dinner rotation!