Name: Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta – Easy 4‑Serving Weeknight Dinner Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne; rigatoni; or spaghetti work well); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion; chopped; 3 cloves garlic; minced; 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; Salt and pepper to taste; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Description

Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta is a crowd‑pleasing, quick‑cook dinner that blends tender ground beef with al dente pasta in a rich tomato‑beef sauce, finished with fragrant basil and Parmesan. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy recipe delivers bold flavor in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for families seeking a hearty, budget‑friendly meal that feels restaurant quality at home. Simmer the sauce with garlic, onion, and herbs, toss with pasta and finish with grated Parmesan for a savory touch.

Ingredients

Scale

- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne
- rigatoni
- or spaghetti work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion
- chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta until al dente (8‑10 minutes), reserve 1 cup cooking water, drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 4‑5 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook 1 minute.
3. Add ground beef, break it up, and brown for 5‑7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook 2 minutes, adding more pasta water for a silky sauce.
6. Remove from heat, sprinkle grated Parmesan, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer sauce
add a splash of grape juice during simmering. Adjust seasoning after simmer. Leftovers reheat well with a little water or broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 servings

Keywords: Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta, easy ground beef pasta, quick beef pasta recipe, weeknight dinner ideas, budget friendly pasta, family favorite pasta, simple beef pasta, 30 minute pasta dinner