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One Pot Creamy Tomato Beef Pasta Recipe

A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring tender pasta, savory beef, and a rich creamy tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500g beef mince / ground beef
• 2 tsp Italian herbs
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 400g can crushed tomatoes (or tomato passata)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (chili flakes, optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt/kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups (1 L) chicken stock/broth, low sodium
• 350g fusilli, penne, elbow macaroni or other short pasta
• 3/4 cups thickened / heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese, finely grated (for serving)
• Parsley, finely chopped (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
   Start by warming the olive oil in a spacious pot over high heat. Toss in the finely minced garlic and onions, giving them about a minute and a half to soften and develop an inviting aroma.

2. Step 2: Brown the Beef
   Introduce the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with your spoon to ensure even cooking. Keep at it until the beef loses its pink hue. Sprinkle in the Italian herbs, allowing their fragrance to blossom for 30 seconds. Then, add the tomato paste, stirring it around for a minute to mellow its raw edge.

3. Step 3: Build the Sauce
   Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes followed by the chicken stock. Stir the mixture gently, adding salt, pepper, and, if you like a bit of heat, the red pepper flakes. Next, introduce your chosen pasta into the pot, ensuring it’s nicely submerged in the liquid.

4. Step 4: Cook the Pasta
   Allow the pot to reach a gentle simmer, then let it continue cooking for about 15 minutes. Remember to stir the pot every couple of minutes, increasing frequency towards the end to prevent the pasta from sticking. You'll know it's time to move on when the pasta is almost, but not quite, done.

5. Step 5: Add the Cream
   Pour in the cream and let it simmer for an additional minute or two. You're aiming for a creamy consistency, so don't worry if it seems a bit saucy; that's part of the dish's charm.

6. Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
   Once off the heat, give everything a final stir to ensure it's all well combined. Ladle the delicious pasta into bowls, topping each with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a touch of parsley if you're feeling fancy. Now, dig in and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Notes

Whipping up a one-pot wonder seems simple enough, but a few sneaky pitfalls can trip up even a seasoned cook. A common hiccup? Overcrowding the pot. When pasta gets crammed in, it tends to stick and cook unevenly. Make sure to give your ingredients ample space to dance around.

Another misstep is not tasting for seasoning as you go. The chicken stock and tomato paste bring their own saltiness, so be cautious when adding more salt. Taste before you toss in that extra pinch!

Lastly, be patient with the cream. Stir it at the end, allowing it to blend smoothly without curdling. These little tweaks will ensure your creamy tomato beef pasta is a mouthwatering success every time!