Description
Comfort meets flavor in this creamy beef pasta, blending hearty ground beef with silky sauce and perfectly al dente noodles. Rich Italian-inspired ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (453 grams) lean ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes (with juices)
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Seasoning and Garnish:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and cook penne pasta until tender with a slight bite, then drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, gently sautéing onions and garlic until they become soft and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce ground beef into the skillet, methodically crumbling the meat with a spatula and cooking thoroughly until a rich, even brown color develops, eliminating any residual fat.
- Cascade diced tomatoes with their natural juices and beef broth into the skillet, sprinkling Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a robust flavor foundation. Stir and allow the mixture to simmer gently.
- Lower the heat and incorporate Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce transforms into a velvety, cohesive consistency.
- Tenderly fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is luxuriously enrobed in the creamy mixture.
- Evaluate the seasoning, making subtle adjustments to suit your palate. Allow the dish to rest momentarily, permitting the sauce to slightly thicken and intensify its flavors.
- Transfer to serving plates, adorning with freshly chopped basil or parsley to introduce a vibrant, herbaceous note and elevate the visual appeal.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose high-quality penne with ridges to help sauce cling better, enhancing overall flavor and texture.
- Fat Management: Lean ground beef works best, but drain excess fat to prevent greasy sauce and maintain a light, creamy consistency.
- Yogurt Wisdom: Use full-fat Greek yogurt at room temperature to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for nutritional variety and accommodating different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg