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Best Easy Penne with Meat Sauce Recipe

Name: Best Easy Penne with Meat Sauce Recipe
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 320 g
Ingredients: penne pasta 1 lb; ground beef 1 lb; yellow onion 1 medium; olive oil 2 tbsp; garlic cloves 3 cloves; crushed tomatoes 28 oz; kosher salt 1 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; dried oregano 1 tsp; dried basil 1 tsp; crushed red pepper flakes 0.25 tsp; Parmesan cheese 0.5 cup

Penne tossed in a robust ground beef and tomato meat sauce is a family-friendly pasta dinner loaded with protein. Simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser on busy weeknights.

Cook 45 min Difficulty NORMAL 530 kcal

#family dinner #high protein #comfort food

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

penne pasta 1 lb
ground beef 1 lb
yellow onion 1 medium
olive oil 2 tbsp
garlic cloves 3 cloves
crushed tomatoes 28 oz

Seasonings/Sauce

kosher salt 1 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
dried oregano 1 tsp
dried basil 1 tsp
crushed red pepper flakes 0.25 tsp
Parmesan cheese 0.5 cup

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 56 g 42%

Protein 28 g 21%

Fat 22 g 37%

Serving size 320g

Cooking steps

1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2

Increase the heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook, breaking up meat with a spatula, until browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3

Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken the sauce and develop flavor.
4

While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until just al dente, typically 10-11 minutes. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
5

Toss drained penne into the skillet with the meat sauce. Mix well to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a glossy sauce. Cook together over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Penne with Meat Sauce recipe?

The core ingredient is the ground beef, which gives the sauce its hearty flavor and protein-rich texture. Combined with crushed tomatoes and aromatic onions and garlic, it forms the savory base that defines the character of this classic pasta dish.

Q. What are the most important cooking steps for a successful meat sauce?

Browning the ground beef thoroughly over medium-high heat is crucial for depth of flavor, while simmering the combined sauce ingredients allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Managing the heat to avoid burning and deglazing the pan as needed ensures a robust sauce.

Q. How do I keep the penne from overcooking or becoming mushy?

Boil the penne until just al dente, following package instructions and tasting a minute before the suggested time. After draining, finish the pasta by tossing it in the sauce for 2 minutes; this lets it absorb flavor without becoming overcooked.

Q. What is the nutritional profile per serving?

Each serving provides approximately 530 kcal, with 56g carbohydrates (42% of calories), 28g protein (21%), and 22g fat (37%). This recipe is balanced for hearty family dinners and offers a substantial protein boost from ground beef.

Best Easy Penne with Meat Sauce Recipe

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