Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta

If you’re looking for a quick and super tasty meal, you’re in the right place! This Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta is one of my favorite one-pot dinners. It’s warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it only takes about 30 minutes to make! Perfect for busy weeknights or when you just want something comforting and yummy. Let’s dive right in!

Method

Start with the Beef

To begin, grab a large, deep skillet or pot and place it on medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the pot and season it with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. As the beef cooks, use a spatula to break it apart into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps the meat cook evenly and blend better with the pasta later on. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until the beef is nicely browned and no longer pink.

Add Flavor Boosters

Once the beef is browned, it’s time to layer in some serious flavor. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes directly to the pot with the beef. Then, spoon in the tomato paste and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes for extra richness. Drop in the butter as well. Stir everything together and let it sauté for another 5 minutes. The onions will start to soften, and your kitchen will smell absolutely delicious as all the flavors blend together.

Time for the Pasta Party

Now it’s time to bring everything together. Add the uncooked Campanelle pasta right into the same pot. Then pour in the beef broth and milk, which will become the creamy base of the sauce as the pasta cooks. To keep the flavors balanced, sprinkle in the remaining 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1½ teaspoons of pink salt. Give everything a thorough mix, making sure the pasta is spread out evenly and mostly covered by the liquids. This ensures the pasta cooks properly and absorbs all that savory goodness.

Let It Cook

Turn the heat down to medium-low and place a lid on the pot. Let the pasta simmer gently for about 10 to 12 minutes. Around the 10-minute mark, lift the lid and give everything a good stir. This helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensures it cooks evenly. Check the texture of the pasta if it’s tender and the liquid has mostly been absorbed, you’re ready for the next step. If it still needs a few more minutes, cover it back up and let it cook a bit longer.

Finish It Off

Once the pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce has thickened into a creamy coating, turn off the heat. Add in the fresh spinach and gently fold it into the hot pasta. The residual heat will cause the spinach to wilt quickly, blending right into the dish without becoming mushy. Finally, sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and give everything one last stir to melt the cheese and bring all the flavors together. Now your creamy Tuscan beef pasta is ready to serve rich, hearty, and full of comfort in every bite!

Necessary Tools

• Large deep skillet or pot with a lid
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Grater (for the cheese)

Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta

Recipe by George MendesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz Campanelle pasta (or any pasta you love)

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 6 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 cups spinach, packed

• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 cups milk

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 2 tsp onion powder

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 2 tsp pink salt

Directions

• Start with the Beef
  In a big deep skillet or pot, add your ground beef. Sprinkle in 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook on medium-high for about 5 minutes, breaking it up into little pieces with your spatula.
• Add Flavor Boosters
  Toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tbsp oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, butter, and tomato paste. Stir it all up and cook for another 5 minutes until everything smells amazing.
• Time for the Pasta Party
  Pour in the pasta, beef broth, milk, and the rest of the seasonings (1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1 1/2 tsp salt). Give it a good stir and spread the pasta out evenly.
• Let It Cook
  Bring the pot to a gentle simmer. Cover it with a lid and cook for 10–12 minutes on medium-low heat. At around 10 minutes, lift the lid, give it a stir, and check if the pasta is done.
• Finish It Off
  Once the pasta is cooked, take the pot off the heat. Add the spinach and stir until it wilts into the pasta. Lastly, sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, mix everything together, and you’re ready to eat!

Notes

• Don’t forget to stir the pasta halfway through cooking so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melty texture it’s worth it!
• Be sure your pasta is fully covered in liquid when cooking. If it looks dry, add a splash more milk or broth.
• When adding spinach, do it off the heat so it wilts perfectly without overcooking.

Serving Suggestions

• Top with extra Parmesan or a little crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
• Serve with warm garlic bread or a side salad.
• This dish also pairs great with a glass of cold lemonade or sparkling water!

Fun Fact

Did you know? Campanelle pasta means “little bells” in Italian. It’s shaped like a tiny bell or flower, which holds onto sauces really well perfect for creamy dishes like this one!

Conclusion

There you have it, Creamy Tuscan Beef Pasta made easy, fast, and all in one pot! It’s perfect for feeding your family or impressing your friends. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of bold flavors. Best part? Fewer dishes to wash afterward!