Simple Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground beef pasta recipe in skillet with parsley and basil on top.

4.85 from 65 votes

Simple Beef Pasta Skillet

This Simple Ground Beef Pasta recipe is a perfect pasta dish the whole family will love! Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy cheesy pasta dinner is packed with spinach, tomatoes and just the right amount of Italian Seasoning. Who wants seconds?

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: Servings

Calories: 593kcal

Author: Lorie Yarro

Ingredients

16 oz box of pasta shells*
1 lb ground beef
2 T olive oil
½ onion, diced
2-3 c baby spinach
2 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes juices included, don't drain
3 T tomato paste
1 c beef broth
2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 garlic cloves, minced (or about 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
¼ - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¾ c grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cracked pepper
½ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
¾ c reserved pasta water
½ c heavy cream optional

Instructions

Cook pasta according to pasta directions for al dente. When draining, reserve about ¾ cup of the past water for later. Toss pasta with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.
While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. When glistening, add onion and cook 1-2 minutes. Add in ground beef and brown, stirring regularly. (about 7-9 minutes) Drain any excess oil.
When beef is cooked, add in spinach, tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, garlic, seasonings, salt and pepper. Cook until spinach is wilted and ingredients are combined. Turn heat to medium low and add in ½ cup reserved pasta water, heavy cream and parmesan. Stir to combine and simmer for several minutes to allow to thicken and for parmesan to completely melt into the sauce.
Add in pasta and toss to combine.
Top with fresh parmesan, chopped basil and/or chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

For best results, cook the pasta al dente. If you cook the pasta too long, this ground beef pasta will turn a bit mushy and the pasta may start to break apart. You simmer it a bit in the end once tossing the pasta in so it may still soften slightly.
For a saucier pasta: you can add extra cream, up to another ½ cup. You can also lessen the amount of pasta by a fourth. One other option is to add ½ cup of tomato sauce, or more based on desired amount.
Meal prepping tip: make your pasta ahead of time over the weekend. All you will have to do is stir it in when the rest has cooked up. That is one less thing you will need to worry about when making dinner.
Reserved pasta water--this is the secret behind so many pasta recipes. That starchy water does its magic on this pasta recipe and is a great ingredient to use when making pasta dishes.

Nutrition