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Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Pasta


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  • Author: Julia Marenne
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 people 1x

Description

This budget-friendly ground beef pasta is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a family-approved comfort food dinner that won’t break the bank.


Ingredients

Scale
  • lbs ground beef (85% lean)

  • 1 small yellow onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 16 oz tomato sauce

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • ½ cup half-and-half

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • ½ lb rotini pasta


Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and onion is soft.

  3. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant 

  4. Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture (if using). Stir well and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

  5. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

  6. Reduce heat to low. Pour in half-and-half and stir until the sauce looks creamy and smooth.

  7. Add cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until cheese melts and everything is well coated 

  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 668kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Fat: 23g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 55g