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Ground Beef Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650
A quick and flavorful pasta dish combining ground beef, fresh vegetables, and basil pesto for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (uncooked, I prefer penne or rigatoni) (Note A)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil (or any cooking oil, to prevent drained pasta from clumping)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any cooking oil)
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely minced or grated)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 small green bell pepper (finely chopped) (aka capsicum)
  • 1 pound ground beef (aka beef mince) (Note B)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste (Note C)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup basil pesto (store-bought) (Note D)
  • some freshly grated parmesan
  • some chopped fresh parsley

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil.
  • Sauté garlic, onion, and bell pepper in olive oil until translucent.
  • Add ground beef, seasonings, and cook until browned, then stir in tomato paste, water, and sugar; simmer briefly.
  • Reduce heat, add pesto, and simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Combine cooked pasta with sauce, warm through, then garnish with parmesan and parsley before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use freshly grated parmesan and fresh parsley.
Calories: 650kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pasta