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Pasta with Meat Sauce

A simple, hearty pasta dish that stretches a pound of ground beef into a meal for the whole family.

Nut-FreeEgg-FreeDairy-Free Main Dish
Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Total: 25 min Servings: 4–6 Difficulty: Easy

Allergens: Contains Gluten (pasta).

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pasta (any shape)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Optional Extras

  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning or dried oregano
  • A tablespoon of butter stirred into the finished pasta

Equipment

  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Skillet or second pot (for sauce)
  • Colander or strainer
  • Stirring spoon

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until tender. Drain in a colander and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the diced onion. Cook for about 3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add the ground beef. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains, about 5–7 minutes.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce. Stir and let it simmer on low heat for 5–10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning if you have them.
  6. Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and toss to combine. Serve hot.

Notes

  • No ground beef? Canned chicken (drained and shredded) works. Or skip the meat entirely for a simple marinara pasta.
  • Add a vegetable: Stir drained canned corn or peas into the sauce in the last few minutes.
  • Leftovers: Keeps well for 3–4 days. Add a splash of water when reheating to loosen the sauce.
  • Gluten-friendly version: Use any gluten-free pasta. The sauce itself uses no gluten-containing ingredients.