Imagine creating a restaurant-quality Italian meal without mountains of dirty dishes or complicated techniques. This One Pan Penne and Meat Sauce is your secret weapon for a delicious, hassle-free dinner that will have your family begging for seconds! In just 40 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that combines perfectly cooked pasta, rich ground beef, and a savory sauce - all prepared in a single pan.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and ensure you have a large, deep skillet or sauté pan with a lid.
- Season ground beef with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.
- Cook the beef, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until it's completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the beef if desired, leaving a small amount for added flavor.
- Add tomato sauce and beef broth to the pan with the cooked ground beef. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add uncooked penne pasta directly into the sauce, ensuring the pasta is mostly covered by the liquid.
- Cover the pan and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Check pasta for doneness. If liquid is absorbed but pasta is not fully cooked, add a little more broth.
- Once pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened, remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Optionally, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil before serving.
Tips
- Use a large, deep skillet to ensure even cooking and prevent pasta from sticking
- Break ground beef into small, uniform crumbles for consistent texture
- Don't drain all the beef fat - a little adds incredible flavor to your sauce
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth to maintain moisture
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow sauce to thicken
- For extra richness, consider adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs
- Choose a high-quality beef broth for deeper, more complex flavor
- Use Italian seasoning generously to enhance the overall taste profile
- For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey for beef
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 431kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 61mg
