Looking for an easy ground beef pasta recipe that your whole family will love? This creamy one pot pasta dish has saved countless dinners on our busy homestead! Made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes, this hearty ground beef and pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Let me show you how to make this delicious one pot meal that’s become our family’s favorite fast dinner!

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Why This One Pot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe Works

On our homestead, unexpected things happen all the time – from escaped cows to chores taking longer then expected. That’s why I always keep ingredients on hand for this easy pasta dish. The magic happens when you cook everything in one pot (I use my decade old Dutch oven! grab yours here), allowing the pasta to release its starches right into the sauce. The result? A rich, creamy pasta dinner that tastes like it took hours to make.

Ingredients for One Pot Ground Beef Pasta

2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 pound ground beef (we use grass-fed beef from our annual half-cow purchase)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
4 cups bone broth (or regular beef broth)
12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work best)
3/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly grated Parmesan and Asiago cheese for topping

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Cheese grater

How to Make One Pot Ground Beef Pasta

Simple steps for the perfect creamy pasta dinner:

Prepare Your Base
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat
- Add diced onion and minced garlic
- Cook until onion becomes translucent (3-4 minutes)
Cook the Ground Beef
- Add ground beef to the pot
- Break up meat with a wooden spoon
- Season with oregano, salt, and pepper
- Cook until no longer pink

Create the Sauce
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute
- Add tomato sauce and bone broth
- Stir to combine all ingredients
Cook the Pasta
- Add pasta to the simmering liquid
- Place the lid on and let simmer on low
- Cook until pasta is tender (12-15 minutes)
Finish the Dish
- Stir in heavy cream
- Cook 2-3 minutes until hot and creamy
- Top with freshly grated cheeses

Pro Tips from My Homestead Kitchen

Here’s what I’ve learned from making this dish countless times:

Quick Thaw Tip: Keep ground beef frozen in 1-pound tubes. When needed, place the frozen tube in hot water while gathering other ingredients.
Pasta Choice: Short pasta shapes like penne or rotini work best for catching the sauce
Broth Options: Bone broth adds nutrition, but regular beef or chicken broth works too
Make It Your Own: Add garden vegetables like spinach or carrots for extra nutrition

Common Recipe Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

While best served fresh, leftovers keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Yes! Any short pasta works, but avoid long noodles like spaghetti.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

Half-and-half can work in a pinch, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich.

Can I freeze this dish?

I don’t recommend freezing as the pasta texture changes significantly when thawed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-pot cleanup
Ready in 30 minutes
Kid-approved comfort food
Uses simple pantry ingredients
Perfect for busy weeknights
Customizable with added vegetables

This easy ground beef pasta recipe has become our homestead’s reliable backup plan for those days when I run out of time and I didn’t pre plan dinner. It’s simple enough for beginners but delicious enough to please the whole family. The best part? You’ll only have one pot to wash when dinner’s done!

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4-6 people Calories: Approximately 450 per serving

Hungry for more homestead recipes? Don’t forget to save this one-pot ground beef pasta recipe to Pinterest for later!

Recipe Notes: This hearty pasta dish reheats well for lunch the next day. Just add a splash of milk or cream when rewarming to restore the creamy texture.