One Pot Pasta Beef Bolognese Recipe (Easy Dinner)(With VIDEO)
This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission for every purchase made through these links, this doesn’t change your price in any way. Thank you for supporting my work.
One pot recipes are a favorite among many and for good reason. This one pot pasta is pleasing for it’s flavors and no fuss clean up. The perfect dinner idea for any day of the week for the whole family to enjoy especially on busy weeknights. This recipe skips the traditional bolognese complexity for a one-pot wonder that leaves everyone wanting more.
One pan meals are my personal favorite as well. Whenever i have ground beef on hand, this one pot pasta recipe comes to mind first. It quickly became a staple dish in my household from the first time i made it because not only is it a quick and easy recipe to make, but mainly because it never disappoints. When a household of picky eaters settle on a one pot pastas that they all love and lick the plates clean, it’s a win-win situation. A family favorite for sure.
What is bolognese?
Bolognese sauce is a meat sauce in the Italian cuisine that is made with tomatoes, onions, herbs or Italian seasoning and is cooked low and slow for at least 3 hours.
I love me a great Italian dish but, if you’re looking for an authentic bolognese sauce recipe, it is NOT on this page 🙂 In fact, this pasta dish doesn’t even have much of a “sauce” base. Instead, this one pot method of cooking means ALL the starch from the pasta stays in the pot and that’s what creates that “saucy” looking texture in the end.
The idea with this one pot pasta recipe is that the liquid to pasta ratio is just-right so that by the time the pasta is cooked, it’s absorbed most of the excess liquid and you’re left with a pot of pasta with meat, minced vegetables and tomato chunks. Don’t like the chunks? Mince them up, they will still add the flavor they need but wont be as textured. Top it off with fresh grated parmesan cheese and make it cheesy. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and give the dish it’s final appealing look. (totally optional ;))
Can i use other pasta types or shapes?
Yes, the type of pasta you choose doesn’t matter, just be sure to keep a close eye on the cooking time and adjust amount of water being added as all pasta shapes and sizes will have a different cooking time. Keep in mind that longer pasta will need to stay on the stove for a bit longer and short pastas (like elbows, shells and spiral pasta) don’t need as much liquid and cook faster. Our favorite pastas to use are rigatoni and rotini.
In addition, if you must use any other pasta, i recommend not adding all the water at once. Instead, reserve a cup or so and add hot boiling water later as needed to get your pasta to al dente.
Can i use other ground meat?
Yes, you can use any ground meat in this recipe. I specifically really like ground beef but if you do choose another type, adjust cooking time accordingly. You can try this recipe with lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground pork or even ground chicken. Using a leaner meat, you may need to add a little bit more olive oil to the pot when browning the meat. Also be careful not to overcook the meat so the bits wont be too tough.
Like skipping Steps?
I love to skip a step or two whenever i can and using this vegetable chopper is the one that speeds up my dicing time by a lot! Highly recommend getting your hands on it if possible.
What you need for this one pot pasta beef bolognese recipe:
- 1lb Rigatoni Pasta
- 1-2 tbsp Olive Oil For sauteing
- 1-1.5 cup Onion diced
- 2 cups Carrot diced (use chop wizard)
- 2 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1-14.5oz can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 tbsp White Wine
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2.5 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp Dry or fresh basil
- Shredded Parmesan cheese to serve
- Fresh chopped basil or parsley to garnish (optional)
How to make one pot pasta
1. First, preheat a deep skillet or a dutch oven on medium-high heat, drizzle a little olive oil to the bottom of the pot and add chopped onions. Saute until transparent, then add the diced carrots. Cook Until the carrots are softened.
2. Push the vegetables to the sides and add the ground beef in the middle of the pan. Break it up using a meat chopper or a wooden spoon. At this point season the meat with 1tsp of salt and 1/2tsp of black pepper. Cook until the meat has browned or just started to have brown bits stirring occasionally.
3. Once the meat is browned, add garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato paste and stir to combine with the meat. Then add the remaining ingredients such as water, white wine, heavy cream, basil, sugar and the rest of the salt. (taste* add more salt or sugar if needed) Stir to combine and add your uncooked pasta. Stir again and press the pasta down for the liquid to cover it.
4.Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the liquid has evaporated and pasta is cooked to al dente. (mixing occasionally during this process and take off the lid the last 5min)
5. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese to serve and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired.
Can i replace water for stock?
Yes, replacing water for chicken stock, chicken broth or beef broth are all good substitutes. Keep in mind that if your broth or stock have sodium, adjust salt proportion accordingly.
What else can i serve with this one pan pasta?
This pasta dish is already so hearty and really doesn’t need to be served with anything else but a good sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. However, my cheesy garlic bread pairs very well with this pasta. When i first served it together, my kids now ask for it every time i make this dish. A slice of crusty garlic bread would pair well too.
Convert this easy pasta recipe into a pasta casserole:
I know i mentioned that this pasta dish is a one pot recipe and it is perfect as is, but if you want to take it a step further, transfer everything into a casserole dish and top it off with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350F just until the cheese melts and gets a golden brown color on top. Take it out of the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. You’ll have a beautiful and delicious dinner to serve your whole family or bring to a potluck.
Check out some of our other one pot meals
One Pan Shrimp Yakisoba
Bacon and Shrimp Pasta
One Pot Creamy Potato Bake
Pan Fried Potatoes with Onion
Balsamic pan Fried Mushrooms
Looking for other great pasta recipes?
Here are our other pasta favorites
One Pot Pasta Beef Bolognese Recipe (easy dinner)
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp Oil For sauteing
- 1-1.5 cup Onion diced
- 2 cups Carrot diced (use chop wizard)
- 2 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1-14.5oz can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 tbsp White Wine
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2.5 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp Dry or fresh basil
- 1 lb Rigatoni pasta
- Shredded Parmesan cheese to serve
- Fresh chopped basil or parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
1. Preheat a deep skillet or a wok pan, add oil and chopped onions. Saute until transparent and then add the diced carrots. Cook Until the carrots are softened.
-
2. Push the vegetables to the sides and add the ground beef in the middle of the pan. Break it up using a wooden spoon or a whisk. At this point season the meat with 1tsp of salt and 1/2tsp of black pepper. Cook until the meat is browned stirring occasionally.
-
3. Once the meat is browned, add garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato paste and stir to combine with the meat. Then add the remaining ingredients such as water, white wine, heavy cream, basil, sugar and the rest of the salt. (taste* add more salt or sugar if needed) Stir to combine and add your pasta. Stir again and press the pasta down for the liquid to cover it.
-
4.Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the liquid has evaporated and pasta is cooked to al dente. (mixing occasionally during this process and take off the lid the last 5min)
-
5. Sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese to serve and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. (optional)
Recipe Notes
Can i use other pasta types or shapes?
Yes, the type of pasta you choose doesn’t matter, just be sure to keep a close eye on the cooking time and adjust amount of water being added as all pasta shapes and sizes will have a different cooking time. Keep in mind that longer pasta will need to stay on the stove for a bit longer and short pastas (like elbows, shells and spiral pasta) don’t need as much liquid and cook faster. Our favorite pastas to use are rigatoni and rotini.
In addition, if you must use any other pasta, i recommend not adding all the water at once. Instead, reserve a cup or so and add hot boiling water later as needed to get your pasta to al dente.
Can i use other ground meat?
Yes, you can use any ground meat in this recipe. I specifically really like ground beef but if you do choose another type, adjust cooking time accordingly. You can try this recipe with lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground pork or even ground chicken. Using a leaner meat, you may need to add a little bit more olive oil to the pot when browning the meat. Also be careful not to overcook the meat so the bits wont be too tough.
Can i replace water for stock?
Yes, replacing water for chicken stock, chicken broth or beef broth are all good substitutes. Keep in mind that if your broth or stock have sodium, adjust salt proportion accordingly.
What else can i serve with this one pan pasta?
This pasta dish is already so hearty and really doesn’t need to be served with anything else but a good sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. However, my cheesy garlic bread pairs very well with this pasta. When i first served it together, my kids now ask for it every time i make this dish. A slice of crusty garlic bread would pair well too.
Very good recipe! Made it twice already, wouldn’t change a thing!
most repeated recipe in my household. Definitely loved by many. The best part about it, it’s a one pan meal which is amazing for busy bodies. Thank you!
[…] Click Here […]
Love love love this recipe. It is on repeat in our house at least every other week. My kids devour it and they are picky picky eaters
This is seriously so delicious! I recommend everyone to try this dish! Favorite pasta recipe on the web!
i make this pasta again and again, it never disappoints