One-Pot Ground Beef and Tomato Penne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A hearty pasta dish with savory ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. This Italian-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, penne pasta, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

The containers we’d portion this into → Best Meal Prep Containers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and no pink remains; drain excess fat.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz penne pasta to the skillet, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Let sit for 2 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.