Ground Beef Pasta Sauce (no tomato)
This tomato-free ground beef pasta sauce is quick and easy to make and tastes great on any pasta.
Servings: 4 small portions
Calories (Estimated): 286kcal
Equipment:
- measuring cups and spoons
- knife and cutting board
- pot
- steamer basket (if using)
- garlic press (optional)
- nonstick pan or cast iron skillet
- wooden spoon
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces small broccoli florets (about 2 cups) (about 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons mild olive oil
- ¼ cup finely diced white or yellow onion (you need about ⅓ of a small onion for that)
- 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
- 12 ounces extra lean ground beef (at least 90 percent lean)
- ⅜ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder*
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and boil or steam the broccoli florets to desired doneness.4 ounces small broccoli florets (about 2 cups)
- Meanwhile heat the oil in a nonstick pan or a cast iron skillet until shimmering.2 teaspoons mild olive oil
- Add onion and cook until starting to soften (about 2 minutes).¼ cup finely diced white or yellow onion (you need about ⅓ of a small onion for that)
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).2 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
- Add the beef and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown on the edges (about 7 minutes). Use a wooden spoon to break up large chunks of meat while cooking.12 ounces extra lean ground beef (at least 90 percent lean)
- Stir in salt, paprika, chili powder and pepper.⅜ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon smoked hot paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder*, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pour in the cream. Simmer until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon (about 4 minutes).1 cup heavy cream
- Stir in the broccoli florets and serve the sauce hot with pasta and Parmesan cheese.
Recipe notes:
*Chili powder is a spice blend made with different ground chili peppers, cumin, oregano, garlic and salt. It's widely available in spice shops.
