Is a flavorful, satisfying, and simple supper what you’re craving? If you’re searching for the perfect pasta dish, go no further than this recipe for Meaty Marinara Pasta. All your hunger pangs will be assuaged by this recipe, which has soft ground beef in a homemade marinara sauce over pasta cooked to the perfect al dente texture. Because it can be prepared in less than 30 minutes, it is ideal for a quick weekday meal. Prepare the stove, get the ingredients, and let’s cook!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s Simple And Quick To Put Together. This meaty marinara pasta dish is perfect for weeknights because it only requires a handful of basic ingredients and a short cooking time. You can put a wonderful, filling supper on the table in less than 30 minutes with this.
Extremely Flavorful. This dish is out of this world because of the combination of handmade marinara sauce, ground pork, and nutty Parmesan cheese. With each mouthful, you’ll experience an explosion of flavor.
It’s Versatile. You can make this Meaty Marinara Pasta dish your own by adding your own twist to the recipe. Change up the pasta you use or add in some of your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini. Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, pig, or lamb for a varied flavor profile.
It’s A Crowd-Pleaser. Meaty Marinara Pasta is a crowd-pleaser no matter who you’re cooking for: family or friends. It’s the ideal meal to bring to a potluck or serve at a dinner party because it’s traditional comfort food that everyone will like.
Meaty Marinara Pasta
Meaty Marinara Pasta Ingredients
Ground Beef. The meaty marinara pasta dish centers around ground beef as the major protein source. It adds a lot of protein and fat to the meal and gives it a rich, meaty taste. Choose ground beef with a lower fat content if you want to cut down on calories. If you do this, you may keep the meal healthful while cutting down on fat.
Onion. As the pasta cooks, the onion releases its lovely aroma and aromatizes the entire meal. Pick a yellow onion because they are sweeter tasting and more tender than white onions. The onion should be minced finely so that it cooks fast and uniformly.
Garlic. The meal benefits from garlic’s strong, earthy flavor as well as its contribution to a pleasant scent. To get the most flavor out of your garlic, choose cloves that are both firm and plump. To get the most out of the garlic’s taste, chop it as finely as possible and sauté it rapidly in the pan without letting it burn.
Tomato Paste. Tomato paste is added to help thicken the sauce and impart a robust tomato taste. Invest in a high-quality brand of tomato paste. Any sugar or preservatives added to the tomato paste should be avoided since they will affect the dish’s flavor significantly.
Dried Oregano. Oregano, a popular Mediterranean plant, is commonly used to lend an earthy, herby taste to dishes. The meat and tomatoes gain a depth of flavor from the use of oregano. Crushing dried oregano in your hands before using it will help unleash its flavor.
Red Wine. Red wine’s naturally sweet and somewhat acidic taste complements the dish’s natural sweetness from the tomatoes. Select a dry red wine, such as a cabernet sauvignon or a merlot, to go with the meal.
Penne Pasta. Penne is a traditional pasta form that works wonderfully in this hearty marinara sauce. Its ridges and slightly rounded form make it ideal for capturing the dish’s excellent sauce and seasonings. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box, then serve it al dente for the best texture.
Salt. Adding salt to a dish is a great way to bring out the best in it. Add a little salt to your dish and give it a taste before adding more. Excessive salt can dull a dish’s flavor.
Black Pepper. Black pepper enhances the other flavors in the dish with its mild spiciness. Pepper should be added in small increments and tasted before being poured over the entire meal. If you use too much pepper, the dish will be too spicy and the other flavors will be lost.
Parmesan Cheese. Using Parmesan cheese gives the meal a cheesy finish and a nutty, salty taste. Choose a reputable brand of parmesan cheese. You should not use pre-grated cheese since it may include additives that change the taste of the meal.
Can I Use Ground Turkey Or Pork Instead Of Beef?
Meaty marinara spaghetti can be made with ground turkey or pig instead of beef. A meal made with ground turkey or pig, both of which have a milder flavor than beef, may taste slightly different. Nonetheless, they will function well in the dish and provide an extra protein punch. The ground beef should be cooked until it is no longer pink and has turned a deep brown color.
Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead Of Canned Diced Tomatoes?
Indeed, hearty marinara spaghetti may be made with fresh tomatoes instead of canned chopped tomatoes. For best results, dice fresh tomatoes before adding them to the meat in the saucepan. To get the most flavor out of the fresh tomatoes, you may need to let the sauce simmer for a little longer. Bear in mind that the sauce’s flavor may shift subtly depending on the tomatoes you use.
Can I Add Vegetables To This Recipe?
Vegetables are welcome in this hearty marinara pasta dish. Peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant are just a few examples. Vegetables can be added to the pot with canned tomatoes or sautéed with ground beef and onions. If you want your veggies to cook evenly and not take up too much room in the pot, simply cut them into little pieces. Frozen veggies can be used in the recipe as long as they are thawed and the extra liquid is removed.
How To Make Meaty Marinara Pasta
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook the ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, about 8 minutes.
Cook for 3 minutes further after adding the onion, garlic, and tomato paste to the meat.
Cook for another minute after adding the oregano and red wine.
In the meantime, prepare the penne pasta according to package guidelines. Set aside after draining.
When the meat mixture is done, add it to the cooked pasta and toss it to incorporate.
Stir in the salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese to mix.
Bake the mixture in an oven-safe baking dish for 20 minutes.
Enjoy when still warm!
Meaty Marinara Pasta
What To Serve With Meaty Marinara Pasta?
Garlic Bread. Warm, crusty garlic bread is a simple yet delightful addition to hearty marinara spaghetti. The combination of the ground meat’s deep taste with the sauce’s buttery, garlicky undertones is perfection.
Caesar Salad. Serve rich marinara spaghetti with a crisp caesar salad for a light and refreshing meal. The spaghetti is somewhat thick, but it’s nicely balanced with the creamy dressing and crisp croutons.
Roasted Vegetables. A nutritious and savory side dish to offer with hearty marinara spaghetti is roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers. Incorporating colorful veggies into a recipe is a great way to spice things up and give them texture.
Garlic Knots. Garlic knots are another great bread to go with hearty marinara spaghetti. Infused with garlic and herbs, these buttery rolls are a delicious addition to any dinner.
Antipasto Platter. Serve rich marinara spaghetti alongside a selection of Italian-inspired snacks like olives, cured meats, cheeses, and roasted peppers for a more relaxed, tapas-style lunch.
Roasted Potatoes. Simple yet tasty, roasted potatoes are a great complement to hearty marinara spaghetti. Roasted potato quarters may be made by tossing them with olive oil, salt, and any herbs you choose.
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian Meaty Marinara Pasta. Just leave out the ground beef and replace it with your preferred veggies, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini, for a vegetarian meal. Soy crumbles or ground “beef” made from lentils are just two examples of plant-based alternatives to ground meat that can be used instead.
Spicy Meaty Marinara Pasta. Add some red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce if you like things spicy. When sautéing the onions and garlic, you may also throw in some chopped jalapeo pepper for some more heat.
Creamy Meaty Marinara Pasta. Some full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream stirred into the marinara sauce would provide a nice richness to this dish. When the pasta is done, serve it with a dollop of ricotta or a sprinkle of mozzarella.
Pesto Meaty Marinara Pasta. I recommend substituting a handmade basil pesto for the marinara sauce. Fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and other seasonings are blended in a food processor or blender to produce the pesto.
Alfredo Meaty Marinara Pasta. Make an Alfredo sauce to mix with the pasta for a luxurious twist. Stirring constantly over medium heat, this sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped garlic. Cook the pasta as directed, then add the Alfredo sauce and some minced parsley and toss.
How To Store Meaty Marinara Pasta?
In The Fridge. To keep meaty marinara spaghetti fresh for a few days, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You may keep it in the fridge for three to four days.
In The Freezer. Meaty marinara spaghetti may be frozen once it has cooled to room temperature and been transferred to a freezer-safe container or a sturdy plastic bag. Before closing the container or bag, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Pasta with meat sauce marinara can be frozen for up to three months.
To Reheat. There are a few ways to reheat meaty marinara spaghetti. The first option is to use a microwave and a microwave-safe dish. To prevent the pasta from drying out, cover the dish with a moist paper towel. Warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating cycle, until it reaches the desired temperature. Meaty marinara spaghetti may also be reheated on the stovetop. Put it in a pot and cook it up, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until it reaches the desired temperature.
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