I remember the first time I needed something warm and unfussy after a long day and ended up combining two pantry staples into a single comforting bowl—ground beef, jarred tomatoes, and pasta—what later became my go to hamburger pasta when I wanted something that felt like a hug but was simple enough to make while still trying to remember where I left my keys.
Why You’ll Love It
This hamburger pasta is an ideal first recipe to learn because it brings together familiar ingredients without any tricky techniques, it cooks in about the time it takes to wash a few dishes, and picky eaters and busy households both appreciate the blend of saucy pasta and seasoned ground beef, so it works for weeknights, casual family dinners, and when you want reliable comfort food.
Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes |
Cook Time: 20 minutes |
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (85/15)
- 12 oz (340 g) dry penne or elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 14 oz (400 g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley leaves for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just shy of al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent about 4 to 5 minutes, stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, break it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes, drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, stir to combine, then pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 6 to 8 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce seems too thick, heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top, cover the skillet for a minute to let the cheese melt, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy bake: Transfer the sauced pasta to a 9×13 baking dish, top with extra cheddar and breadcrumbs, bake at 375°F until bubbly and golden for a casserole style finish.
- Turkey swap: Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter flavor and slightly lower fat content, cook the same way.
- Spicy version: Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes when you add the Italian seasoning for a gentle heat that pairs well with the tomato sauce.
- Veggie boost: Stir in 2 cups of baby spinach or diced zucchini in step 4 and cook until wilted or tender for extra vegetables.
Make Ahead: You can cook the sauce and brown the meat up to 48 hours ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container, store cooked pasta separately in the fridge, then reheat the sauce gently on the stove, stir in the pasta, and finish with cheese when ready to serve; for longer storage freeze the sauce for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta for hamburger pasta
Yes use any short pasta like rotini, shells, or rigatoni, just adjust cooking time and be sure to reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling
Is there a vegetarian version of hamburger pasta
Substitute cooked lentils or a plant based ground meat for the beef and follow the same steps for a satisfying meat free option
How do I reheat leftovers so they do not dry out
Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth and cover to steam, or microwave with a damp paper towel and stir halfway through
Can I make this gluten free
Yes use your favorite gluten free pasta and check that canned tomatoes or broth contain no gluten ingredients
Hamburger Pasta
This hamburger pasta is an ideal first recipe to learn because it brings together familiar ingredients without any tricky techniques, it cooks in about the time it takes to wash a few dishes, and picky eaters and busy households both appreciate the blend of saucy pasta and seasoned ground beef, so it works for weeknights, casual family dinners, and when you want reliable comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (85/15)
- 12 oz (340 g) dry penne or elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 14 oz (400 g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley leaves for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just shy of al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent about 4 to 5 minutes, stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, break it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes, drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, stir to combine, then pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 6 to 8 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce seems too thick, heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top, cover the skillet for a minute to let the cheese melt, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Conclusion
Making hamburger pasta is an easy confidence builder for anyone new to cooking because it uses straightforward steps, flexible ingredients, and predictable results, so give it a try knowing you can tweak the meat, cheese, or sauce level to suit your family, and when it turns out well you will have a reliable weeknight meal that feels comforting and simple to prepare.
