This delicious Penne Pasta Ground Beef recipe with whole tomatoes is such an easy dinner to get on the table. Leftovers are wonderful as well and easy to heat up for later in the week. This pasta recipe is also easy on the budget and a quick meal to prepare.
Penne Pasta with Ground Beef in a Delicious Fresh Tomato Sauce – Easy Recipe – Easy on the Family Food Budget!
We love cooking pasta sauce using whole tomatoes and fresh basil and this recipe of ground beef and penne pasta is the perfect ingredients for this sauce! There is something about the flavor of whole tomatoes that makes a quick sauce taste like it simmered for hours with a nice fresh and lively taste.
How to Cook Tomato Sauce with Whole Tomatoes
Whole tomatoes can be a bit tricky to cook with though, so beware. Our way of cooking with these little garden delights is to use our fingers to gently squeeze and tear apart the tomatoes. Feeling for the tougher pieces and stems and discarding those.
Start by smooshing the tomatoes with the end of a spatula so there is less squirting. You can also skip the squishing/smooshing process and toss the whole tomatoes into a blender for about 30-40 seconds, or just break them down with a fork or spatula. We even know a few resourceful people that cut them with scissors or snips if you don’t like touching tomatoes.
Penne Pasta in a Fresh Tomato Sauce just Bursting with Flavor – Your Kids will Love this Easy Dinner!
What Ingredients are need for Penne Pasta with Ground Beef
- Penne pasta – organic pasta if you can find it
- Ground Beef – we always use learn ground beef or hamburger
- Olive oil – extra virgin if possible
- Butter – salted butter
- Garlic – fresh garlic is preferred over jarred garlic
- Onion – yellow onion
- Whole tomatoes – find your favorite brand of whole tomatoes
- Tomato sauce – not all tomato sauces are the same, find your favorite brand
- Oregano
- Heavy cream
- Pinch of Sugar
- Fresh Basil
Whole tomatoes make this sauce super-delicious and fresh tasting.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 12 oz. penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 (28 oz.) cans of whole tomatoes, drained
- 1 ( 8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and put back in the pot. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of butter.
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While the pasta is cooking, using a large skillet, cook onions in olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add garlic the last 30 seconds.
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Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Brown beef breaking up pieces with a spatula as it cooks. Lightly salt and pepper beef while browning. Drain off any extra grease.
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Drain the tomatoes of liquid and add to the skillet. Break up tomatoes using your fingers or with a spatula. Pull of any hard pieces and the tops of the tomatoes.
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Add the tomato sauce, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring to a light simmer and cook for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice.
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Stir in the heavy cream and basil. Add the pasta and toss to combine. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Why we Love Penne Pasta Ground Beef Recipe
We love this penne pasta and ground beef recipe because its a pure comfort food with warm pasta in a rich tomato sauce. Serve a big warm bowl of this deliciousness topped with lots of shredded parmesan cheese. We sure hope you have some leftovers to enjoy!
Cook Penne pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and put back in the same pan. Swirl 1 tablespoon of melted butter through the pasta. When the sauce is ready, pour the pasta into the skillet with the sauce and gently stir to coat the pasta.
We Love Using Whole Tomatoes in Our Sauce! Juicy whole tomatoes just “bursting” with flavor. If you have never cooked with whole tomatoes before you are going to love them. Find your favorite brand of whole tomatoes – ours is definitely Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes. We find the flavor of these tomatoes to be a blend of sweet and a little tart. When working with whole tomatoes, you can use your fingers to “squish” the tomatoes.
Add a little heavy cream for a delicious creamy tomato sauce with ground beef. A fresh and zesty tomato sauce. This penne pasta with ground beef and tomato sauce is amazing. You will not be disappointed as this in definitely one of our favorite pasta recipes for a family meal.
What Brand of Whole Tomatoes to Use for This Pasta Recipe?
We love the fresh taste of San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes. They are a quality tomato brand that has a deliciously fresh taste.
What to Serve with Penne Pasta with Ground Beef
We recommend a tossed salad – A tossed salad always goes well with an Italian pasta dish. Use your favorite ingredients.
Garlic Bread – brush thick slices of Italian bread with melted butter. sprinkle with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Broil for about 1 minutes or until tops are brown.
Wine – Serve with a glass of Chianti wine.
What to do With Left Over Penne Pasta with Ground Beef and Tomato Sauce?
Leftover pasta and sauce only seems to get better. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Reheat for another dinner or a quick and tasty lunch.
Try some of Our Favorite Pasta Recipes for a Delicious Family Dinner –
Rigatoni al Forno
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Pasta Fredda
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
Pasta Penne Recipe
