Ultimate Hearty Beef and Rotini Pasta with Rich Tomato Herb Sauce

The ultimate comfort food featuring tender seasoned ground beef, perfectly cooked rotini pasta, and a rich tomato herb sauce loaded with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. This hearty Italian-American masterpiece combines the satisfying richness of well-seasoned beef with the comforting texture of rotini pasta, creating an unforgettable family dinner experience that brings together classic flavors in perfect harmony, ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or any time you crave the perfect balance of protein, pasta, and vibrant sauce flavors.

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Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Perfect Pasta Mastery Secrets for Ultimate Beef and Rotini Combination

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Beef Browning Mastery:
Master the technique of properly browning ground beef to achieve maximum flavor and texture.
Sauce Building Excellence:
Learn the skill of layering flavors to create a rich, complex tomato-based sauce.
Pasta Cooking Perfection:
Perfect the method of cooking rotini to ideal al dente texture for optimal sauce adherence.
Flavor Integration Technique:
Master the art of combining pasta, beef, and sauce for perfect flavor distribution.
Finishing Touch Strategy:
Learn optimal cheese and herb finishing techniques for restaurant-quality presentation.
Ultimate Hearty Beef and Rotini Pasta with Rich Tomato Herb Sauce - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Beef and Rotini Pasta Dish Perfection

Perfect Beef Browning Mastery
Master the technique of properly browning ground beef to achieve maximum flavor and texture.
Sauce Building Excellence
Learn the skill of layering flavors to create a rich, complex tomato-based sauce.
Pasta Cooking Perfection
Perfect the method of cooking rotini to ideal al dente texture for optimal sauce adherence.
Flavor Integration Technique
Master the art of combining pasta, beef, and sauce for perfect flavor distribution.
Finishing Touch Strategy
Learn optimal cheese and herb finishing techniques for restaurant-quality presentation.
Perfect Pasta Mastery Secrets for Ultimate Beef and Rotini Combination
Beef Browning: Don't overcrowd the pan - brown beef in batches if necessary for best texture.
Pasta Timing: Cook pasta just until al dente as it will continue cooking when mixed with sauce.
Sauce Consistency: Save pasta water to adjust sauce thickness - the starch helps everything bind.
Flavor Building: Let sauce simmer long enough to develop deep, complex flavors throughout.
Cheese Integration: Add cheese gradually and off heat to prevent clumping or grittiness.
Fresh Herb Finish: Add fresh herbs at the end to maintain their bright, vibrant flavors.
Ultimate Hearty Beef and Rotini Pasta with Rich Tomato Herb Sauce - tertiary view

Ultimate Hearty Beef and Rotini Pasta with Rich Tomato Herb Sauce

The ultimate comfort food featuring tender seasoned ground beef, perfectly cooked rotini pasta, and a rich tomato herb sauce loaded with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. This hearty Italian-American masterpiece combines the satisfying richness of well-seasoned beef with the comforting texture of rotini pasta, creating an unforgettable family dinner experience that brings together classic flavors in perfect harmony, ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or any time you crave the perfect balance of protein, pasta, and vibrant sauce flavors.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Perfect Beef:
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1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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For the Pasta Foundation:
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1 pound rotini pasta
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1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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For the Aromatic Base:
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1 large yellow onion, diced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 large bell pepper, diced
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2 medium carrots, diced
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For the Rich Sauce:
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28 oz can crushed tomatoes
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15 oz can tomato sauce
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6 oz can tomato paste
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1 cup beef broth
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For the Flavor Enhancers:
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2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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2 teaspoons dried oregano
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2 teaspoons dried basil
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For the Fresh Herbs:
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
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For the Cheese Components:
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1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
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1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
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For the Seasoning Blend:
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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For the Final Touches:
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2 bay leaves
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Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
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Fresh basil leaves for garnish
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For Special Equipment:
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Large Dutch oven
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Large pasta pot
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Wooden spoon
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Colander

Instructions

01
Begin by bringing large pot of salted water to boil for pasta cooking.
02
Heat olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
03
Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with spoon, until browned throughout.
04
Season beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper while cooking.
05
Remove cooked beef to plate and drain excess fat, leaving 2 tablespoons.
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Add diced onion to same pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
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Stir in minced garlic, bell pepper, and carrots, cooking until fragrant.
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Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until darkened.
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Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, stirring well.
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Return cooked beef to pot and add bay leaves and Italian seasoning.
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Bring sauce to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente.
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Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water for sauce adjustment.
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Stir brown sugar and red wine vinegar into beef sauce mixture.
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Season sauce with oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
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Add cooked pasta to beef sauce and toss to combine thoroughly.
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Add pasta water gradually if needed to achieve desired consistency.
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Remove bay leaves and stir in half of the Parmesan cheese.
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Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
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Top with remaining Parmesan, mozzarella, and fresh herbs before serving.
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Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with fresh basil.
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Serve immediately in warmed bowls with additional cheese on side.
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Accompany with garlic bread and simple green salad for complete meal.