Budget-Friendly Dinner Tonight: Ground Beef and Pasta

A simple, satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes with pantry staples.

There's something grounding about a bowl of pasta dotted with seasoned beef and tomato sauce—the kind of dinner that feels both comforting and honest. With just ground beef, pasta, canned tomatoes, and carrots, you have everything needed for a meal that tastes far more thoughtful than its ingredient list suggests. It's the sort of dinner that works on any night of the week.

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Classic Beef and Vegetable Pasta Sauce

Total Time: 25 minutes • Serves: 4

A hearty, homemade pasta sauce made with seasoned ground beef, tender carrots, and rich canned tomatoes. Perfect served over your favorite pasta for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
8 ounces pasta
2 medium carrots, diced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Add minced garlic and diced carrots, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in canned tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add sugar if desired to reduce acidity.
Serve sauce over cooked pasta and enjoy.

Quick Variations

Lighter Option

Use leaner ground beef and load up on shredded carrots to bulk out the sauce without extra fat. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens everything without added calories.

Hearty Option

Brown the beef with extra care to develop deep flavor, then simmer the sauce longer so it reduces and concentrates. Finish with grated cheese and crusty bread for soaking up every bit.

Vegetarian or Flexible Option

Swap ground beef for cooked lentils or crumbled tofu, treating them the same way you'd season and cook the meat. The carrots and tomatoes provide all the richness you need.

Simple Substitutions

Protein Substitutes

Ground turkey or chicken
Italian sausage
Cooked lentils
Crumbled tofu
Ground lamb

Carb Substitutes

Rice or orzo
Polenta
Egg noodles
Whole wheat pasta
Couscous

Flavor Boosters

Garlic and onion
Red pepper flakes
Fresh basil or parsley
Worcestershire sauce
Balsamic vinegar
Dried oregano

Common Questions

Can I make this ahead?

Yes—the sauce actually improves after a day or two in the fridge as flavors meld. Store it separately from the pasta to keep things from getting soggy, then reheat gently and toss with fresh pasta when ready to eat.

How do I get more depth from canned tomatoes?

Let the sauce simmer for at least 15–20 minutes so the tomatoes break down and concentrate. Browning the beef well before adding the sauce also builds a flavorful base.

Should I peel the carrots?

Peeling is optional—just wash them well. Unpeeled carrots add a bit of texture and hold slightly more nutrients, while peeled ones blend more seamlessly into the sauce.