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One-Pan Healthy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe – Quick, Easy & Delicious

One-Pan Healthy Ground Beef Pasta served in skillet
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This One-Pan Healthy Ground Beef Pasta is a protein-packed, veggie-filled dinner that’s creamy, comforting, and made in one pan for easy cleanup. Loaded with spinach, tomatoes, herbs, and hearty ground beef, it’s the perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup beef stock (low sodium preferred)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp Italian herbs
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb pasta shells
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • Two 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes (such as Muir Glen organic)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 2 to 3 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and toss pasta with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened.

4. Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Brown for 7–9 minutes, stirring regularly. Drain any excess oil.

5. Add spinach, diced tomatoes, beef stock, tomato paste, garlic, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir and cook until spinach is wilted and everything is well combined.

6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly.

7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

8. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan, chopped basil, or parsley if desired.

Notes

Use lean ground beef for a lighter version.

Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lower fat.

Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for more nutrition.

This dish makes great leftovers and reheats well the next day.

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/one-pan-healthy-ground-beef-pasta/