Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta
Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta is a rich, creamy, and comforting skillet dinner made with seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, and Parmesan cheese. The addition of marinara deepens the tomato flavor and creates a perfectly balanced creamy-tangy sauce.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340 g short pasta (orecchiette or shells)
- 1 lb 450 g ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup beef broth
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh spinach optional
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Pour in marinara sauce and beef broth. Stir well and let simmer for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the sauce to cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, if using.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the creamy marinara sauce.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 560
- Protein: 30 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
