35 Pasta Recipes With Ground Beef
Ground beef and pasta are a match made in comfort-food heaven, and these 35 recipes prove there’s so much more to explore beyond basic spaghetti and meat sauce. From creamy baked casseroles to quick weeknight skillet dinners, you’ll find tried-and-true favorites plus some unexpected flavor combinations that’ll become new staples in your rotation.
1. Classic Spaghetti Bolognese
Source: recipetineats.com
The timeless Italian-American favorite simmers ground beef with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs for hours. The secret is using both tomato paste and crushed tomatoes for deep, layered flavor.
2. Creamy Beef Stroganoff Pasta
Source: cafedelites.com
Tender egg noodles coat in a rich sour cream sauce studded with ground beef and mushrooms. One pan, thirty minutes, and absolutely craveable.
3. Beef and Spinach Lasagna
Source: beefitswhatsfordinner.com
Layers of tender noodles, seasoned ground beef, spinach, and ricotta blend create a restaurant-worthy baked pasta. Make it ahead and freeze for busy weeknights.
4. Spicy Beef Arrabbiata
Source: mykitchen.co.za
Ground beef gets combined with a fiery tomato sauce spiked with red pepper flakes and garlic. Finish with fresh parsley and pecorino for authentic Roman vibes.
5. Beefy Baked Mac and Cheese
Source: ruhlman.com
Elbow pasta mingles with ground beef in a cheese sauce that’s creamy, tangy, and topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust. Kids (and adults) can’t resist this one.
6. Beef and Tomato Penne Arrabbiata
Source: certifiedherefordbeef.com
Penne absorbs a quick-cooking tomato sauce enriched with browned ground beef and a whisper of heat. This comes together in under 20 minutes.
7. Loaded Beef Taco Pasta
Source: fromvalerieskitchen.com
All your taco night favorites—seasoned beef, cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream—get tossed with pasta shells. Serve with crushed tortilla chips on top.
8. Italian Beef Meatball Pasta
Source: recipetineats.com
Homemade meatballs made from ground beef simmer in marinara and nestle into spaghetti for a warming dinner. Grate Parmesan generously over the top.
9. Beef and Mushroom Fettuccine
Source: cafedelites.com
Flat fettuccine noodles catch a silky beef and mushroom sauce made with cream and white wine. Earthy, elegant, and weeknight-easy.
10. Unstuffed Peppers Pasta Skillet
Source: thetoastykitchen.com
Bell peppers, ground beef, rice, and tomatoes get stirred into pasta for a one-skillet take on the classic casserole. Messy to eat, impossible to dislike.
11. Beef Ragu Over Pappardelle
Source: recipetineats.com
Wide ribbons of pappardelle catch spoonfuls of slow-cooked beef ragu enriched with red wine and aromatics. Simmer it low and slow for maximum depth.
12. Thai Basil Beef Noodles
Source: halfbakedharvest.com
Ground beef seasons with soy, fish sauce, and fresh Thai basil, then tosses with rice noodles and crispy garlic chips. Herbaceous, spicy, and addictive.
13. Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Pasta
Source: lisagcooks.com
Broccoli florets and ground beef mingle with pasta in a cheese sauce that’s veggie-forward but hearty. Sneak extra vegetables into dinner mode.
14. Beef and Eggplant Pasta Bake
Source: bhg.com
Roasted eggplant slices layer with ground beef, tomato sauce, and pasta for a lighter take on lasagna. The eggplant adds a silky sweetness.
15. Smoky Beef Pasta with Peppers
Source: jocooks.com
Smoked paprika and ground beef create a smoky depth that complements roasted bell peppers and tomatoes. Toss with your pasta of choice for a Southwestern vibe.
16. Beef Ziti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Source: periandsons.com
Tender ziti tubes toss with ground beef, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil for a flavor boost that feels special. The sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated umami.
17. Goulash-Style Beef Pasta
Source: thecozyapron.com
Hungarian paprika seasons a comforting ground beef and pasta mixture with sour cream stirred in at the end. Warm spice without the heat level of straight cayenne.
18. Beef Pesto Pasta Salad
Source: nextinlime.com
Cooked ground beef cools down and mingles with pasta, fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella for a picnic-perfect salad. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
19. Beef and Kale Whole Wheat Pasta
Source: cooking.nytimes.com
Sturdy kale and lean ground beef pair with nutty whole wheat pasta and a light garlic oil dressing. Hearty and good-for-you without sacrificing taste.
20. Sicilian Beef Pasta with Capers
Source: cooking.nytimes.com
Ground beef seasons with capers, black olives, raisins, and tomato paste for a sweet-salty-savory profile that’s distinctly Sicilian. Serve over rigatoni or penne.
21. Beef Skillet Lasagna
Source: southernliving.com
Lasagna noodles break into pieces and cook directly in the sauce with ground beef for a rustic, budget-friendly shortcut version. No layering required.
22. Beef and Bean Chili Pasta
Source: budgetbytes.com
Ground beef and kidney beans simmer in a spiced chili base, then mix with cooked pasta for a protein-packed bowl. Top with cheese and jalapeños.
23. Korean Beef Bulgogi Noodles
Source: servingdumplings.com
Marinated ground beef (or minced into a bulgogi-style mixture) tosses with noodles in a sweet and savory sauce with sesame and ginger. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
24. Beef and Ricotta Shells
Source: mangiawithmichele.com
Jumbo pasta shells fill with a mixture of ground beef, ricotta, and Parmesan, then bake in marinara sauce for an easy, elegant casserole.
25. Quick Beef Marinara Over Linguine
Source: honestandtasty.com
Ground beef browns quickly, then simmers with marinara sauce for just ten minutes before tossing with linguine. Perfect for nights when you need dinner now.
26. Beef and Cabbage Noodle Stir-Fry
Source: lemonsandanchovies.com
Shredded cabbage, ground beef, and noodles come together in a wok with soy sauce and garlic for a lighter, crunchier dinner. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil.
27. Beef Ragù with Fresh Tagliatelle
Source: hellofresh.co.uk
A slow-simmered sauce of ground beef, tomatoes, cream, and nutmeg coats delicate fresh tagliatelle ribbons. The cream mellows the acidity into something silky.
28. Beef and Zucchini Pasta Gratin
Source: realfoodwholelife.com
Zucchini rounds bake in layers with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese for a vegetable-forward casserole that’s still hearty. The zucchini softens beautifully.
29. Spiced Beef Couscous-Style Pasta
Source: thecuriousplate.com
Orzo pasta mimics couscous when tossed with spiced ground beef, diced apricots, and fresh mint for a Moroccan-inspired bowl. Sweet fruit against savory meat is magic.
30. Beef and Tomato Rigatoni Bake
Source: bakerbynature.com
Chunky rigatoni tubes hold sauce as they bake with ground beef, crushed tomatoes, and a generous cheese topping that browns until crispy. Maximum comfort.
31. Garlic Butter Beef Pasta
Lots of minced garlic sizzles in butter with ground beef before tossing with thin spaghetti and fresh parsley. Simple, garlicky, and deeply satisfying.
32. Beef and White Bean Minestrone Pasta
Source: mytherapistcooks.com
A hearty vegetable broth simmers with ground beef, white beans, and mixed vegetables before pasta goes in for the last few minutes. One pot, tons of flavor.
33. Beef Creole Pasta Skillet
Source: recipetineats.com
Ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and celery (the holy trinity) season with Creole spices and toss with pasta for a New Orleans-inspired dinner. Serve with hot sauce on the side.
34. Beef and Asparagus Fettuccine
Source: beefitswhatsfordinner.com
Fresh asparagus spears join ground beef in a light lemon cream sauce draped over fettuccine. Spring-forward and elegant enough for guests.
35. Beef Orzo with Roasted Tomatoes
Source: servingdumplings.com
Orzo cooks alongside ground beef in a skillet, then finishes with burst roasted cherry tomatoes for pops of concentrated sweetness and acidity. Bright and quick.