Five-Ingredient Pasta with Bolognese Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
351 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Five-Ingredient Pasta with Bolognese Sauce
Description
In this recipe, rigatoni is cooked in heavily salted water until just shy of al dente. The ground beef is cooked in a skillet until fully broken up and browned, then excess fat is removed. Marinara sauce is added and simmered with the meat to develop flavor.
The pasta is drained but still retains some pasta water to help the sauce cling when combined back in the skillet. The mixture is tossed with grated Pecorino Romano cheese to add saltiness and richness. The result is a warm, meaty pasta dish with tender rigatoni enveloped in a thick, savory sauce.
It can be garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional cheese if desired. This recipe provides a home-style take on Bolognese that is approachable with few ingredients.
Salting the pasta water adequately and not over-draining the pasta helps the sauce bind better. Whole wheat pasta can be used but may not hold the sauce as well. Parmesan cheese can be substituted for Pecorino Romano as preferred.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. rigatoni pasta or other pasta shape
- 24 oz. marinara sauce I used Rao's
- 1 lb. ground beef lean
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil I like California Olive Ranch
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese finely grated, plus more for serving
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- parsley for garnish (optional, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil (see notes).
- Cook pasta until just before it's al dente (about 2 minutes before the time designated on the package).
- Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a large deep skillet until fully cooked. As you are cooking it, break it into very small pieces. I used a potato masher to make sure it got broken up enough.
- Move the beef to one side of the skillet and tilt it in order to separate the grease/liquid. Remove the grease with a spoon and discard.
- Add the marinara sauce to the ground beef. Stir, cover, and simmer until heated through.
- When pasta is done just before it's al dente, reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta water and drain the rest. Don't drain too thoroughly- it's OK, and actually a good thing, if it has some of the water clinging to it.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce (you can also move it directly from the water using a slotted spoon). If the skillet is too small, you can add the pasta back into the pot in which it cooked, and add the sauce to it.
- Stir to coat the pasta in the sauce in the skillet or pot and keep heat on medium low. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring to coat. Add more pasta water as necessary to help the pasta finish cooking to al dente- it will help the sauce thicken and stick to every piece of pasta (I used about 3/4 cup total).
- Turn off the heat. Stir in olive oil (2 tablespoons) and pecorino romano cheese (1/4 cup). Taste and add salt if necessary.
- Serve immediately with extra pecorino romano and garnished with fresh parsley, seasoned with fresh ground black pepper.
Notes
- Salt pasta water generously, about 1 tablespoon table salt per 4 quarts of water, adjusting to taste.
- You can substitute Parmesan cheese for Pecorino Romano if desired.
- Whole wheat pasta works but may not hold sauce as effectively due to lower starch.
- Nutrition info excludes added sodium from seasoning and optional ingredients; consider calculating separately.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 351 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 351kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 524mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 604mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 381IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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