Ground beef and pasta are mainstays in most kitchens, but you can make much more than spaghetti with them. This Ground Beef and Asparagus Pasta Toss is topped with parmesan cheese for a quick, 30-minute dinner. This easy pasta bowl has classic steakhouse flavors and can be customized in so many ways to fit your taste.
Pasta is always a hit with adults and kids alike. This recipe is a perfect, light and summery weeknight family meal because you can easily have it ready from the fridge to the table in under 30 minutes.
We’re big believers that that cooking for your family at home can be just as easy as picking up a pizza (It’s less expensive and healthier too)! This Ground Beef and Asparagus Pasta Toss meets all of our must-have criteria – quick, healthy and good.
How to make Ground Beef and Asparagus Pasta
Start by cooking the pasta in boiling water. I cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and add the asparagus towards the end, so that it can cook in the boiling water and I don’t have to dirty another pan. You could also substitute another vegetable, or add more vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or peppers!
While the pasta is cooking, I brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break the ground beef into small crumbles until cooked through, and drain any excess drippings. Remove ground beef from skillet with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper-towel lined plate on the side.
Next, heat one tablespoon olive oil in the same large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and minced garlic and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add beef and stir to mix
Combine beef mixture with the pasta and asparagus. Toss well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Tips for Ground Beef and Asparagus Pasta Bowl
- Any short pasta will work with this recipe. Short pasta are pastas like bow tie pasta, penne pasta, elbow macaroni, rigatoni, etc.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese is a crucial component of this dish as it will melt a lot better than the pre-shredded kind. You can use the packaged grated parmesan cheese that is sold in little tubs.
- This dish is very versatile. You could also substitute another vegetable instead of asparagus, or add more vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or peppers!
- This dish is best served as soon as it’s made. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Penne pasta (or any other short pasta such as bow tie pasta, elbow macaroni, rigatoni, etc). We like whole wheat pasta in this dish, but any type of pasta works.
- Fresh asparagus
- Olive oil
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- Parmesan
Ground Beef and Asparagus Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1 lb fresh aparagus cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup minced shallots
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until almost tender. Add asparagus; continue cooking 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta and asparagus are tender. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and cook throughly, breaking into small crumbles. Remove beef from skillet with slotted spoon; transfer beef to a paper-towel lined plate on the side; pour off drippings.
- Heat oil in same skillet over medium heat until hot. Add shallots and garlic and cook until tender. Remove from heat. Add beef; toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
- Combine the beef, shallot and garlic mixturewith the pasta and asparagus. Toss well.Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
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ONE MORE THING!
Do you want to learn more about beef? Join our weekly e-newsletter where we share farm happenings, recipes and beef availability. Sign-up and get a cheat sheet with 9-must-ask questions before buying beef directly from a farmer. Or, we have an entire ebook about beef that goes through purchasing and preparing beef from a cattle farmer’s perspective.
Here are a few other links you may like:
- Ground Beef Nachos
- How to choose the best cut of steak (Top 4 cuts)
- What everybody ought to know about beef cuts
- Buying a Cow. How Much Beef Is It?
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
- Cows 101: Do Cows Sleep Standing Up?
- 5 Tips After You Buy a Cow
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