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Healthy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe Easy Quick Weeknight Dinner Ideas

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A quick and wholesome ground beef pasta dish combining lean beef, whole wheat pasta, and fresh veggies for a satisfying and nutritious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) whole wheat pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound (450 grams) lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 grams) diced tomatoes, no salt added
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (150 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup (75 grams) chopped bell peppers (any color)
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pasta water.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Increase heat to medium-high. Add 1 pound (450 grams) lean ground beef to the skillet. Break up the meat and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Stir in canned diced tomatoes with juice, 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium beef broth, dried Italian herbs, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add chopped bell peppers and spinach to the skillet. Stir until spinach wilts and peppers soften, about 2-3 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to loosen.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat noodles evenly with sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the ground beef to keep it tender. Add garlic after onions soften to avoid bitterness. Stir pasta into sauce off heat to prevent mushiness. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Variations include swapping ground beef for plant-based crumbles or lentils for vegetarian option, or using spiralized zucchini for low-carb.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef pasta, healthy pasta recipe, quick dinner, weeknight meal, whole wheat pasta, lean beef, easy pasta sauce

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/healthy-ground-beef-pasta-recipe-easy-quick-weeknight-dinner-ideas/