This one pot beef mince pasta is a quick and comforting weeknight dinner made with simple pantry staples. Everything cooks together in one pot for minimal clean up, and the result is a creamy, savoury pasta packed with flavour. This easy recipe is perfect for when you need dinner on the table in around 30 minutes!
For more easy one pot pasta recipes, try this one pot creamy tomato chicken pasta, or this popular one pot Cajun chicken pasta next.
This is the kind of recipe I love sharing because it’s a true snapshot of how I actually cook in this busy world, rather than just in my job as a food creator. This is a recipe that was born from a feeling of being cold and tired one afternoon and really wanting something cosy and comforting. Based on the ingredients in my house, this is the recipe that came together.
I had a hard time working out what it should be called. I think it’s very similar to the American family favourite hamburger helper, or cheeseburger casserole. Having not had either of these meals, all I can say is that it’s kind of like bolognese but without the tomato, and it only takes 30 minutes to make.
It’s rich, creamy, savoury and basically just insanely comforting. It’s the perfect midweek meal as it contains minimal ingredients meaning you very well may have everything you need already on hand.
It’s also perfect for the fussy eaters in the house, and you can definitely just serve it straight up in the centre of the table with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad and let everyone dig in and help themselves!
Key Ingredients
As I said, this one pot pasta recipe came together with simple ingredients that I tend to keep on hand most weeks, so you should be able to easily gather everything you need to put this together even when you’re really not feeling it.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Beef mince – also known as ground beef in other parts of the world. I am keeping things budget-friendly and using regular 80/20 mince that I buy in bulk but a lean mince will also work for this recipe so use what you like.
- Onion and garlic – builds the foundation of the pasta dish to add depth to the overall flavour of the dish.
- Tomato paste – adds depth and richness to the pasta.
- Italian herbs – you can use any combination of dried herbs that you like to season the pasta.
- Small pasta – for this recipe you want to use a small pasta shape such as shells, spirals, elbows or even macaroni.
- Dairy free milk – cooking the pasta with some dairy free milk helps to give it a smooth and creamy finish. I always use oat milk, but almond milk or soy milk will also work.
- Beef stock pod – just like in my one pot sausage casserole, I love to use the continental brand stock pod as I find they have so much flavour and are a great thing to have in the pantry to add extra flavour to any meal. Just add the pod directly to the pot with some water, otherwise you can substitute with any beef stock you like.
- Dairy free cheese – adding some cheese at the end just makes this recipe next level comforting and creamy but it’s completely optional and the pasta still tastes delicious without it. Use one you like and know melts, or if you’re not dairy free you can use a lactose free cheese or regular cheese instead.
If you want more options with beef mince, you’ll love my collection of dairy free ground beef recipes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You’ll need to start with your pot. You can use either a cast iron dutch oven or a french casserole pan like I am using. You’ll want to make sure it has a lid.
Start by doing your prep which is really just gathering the ingredients and chopping up the onion.
Next, heat the oil in the base of the pot and add in the onion, cooking for a few minutes until it’s softened. Add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant as we don’t want it to burn.
Add in the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned. As the beef cooks it will release a lot of liquid so we want to keep cooking it until this has all evaporated as that’s what is going to give us the best flavour.
To the beef, add the tomato paste, dried herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Give this a good mix and cook for another minute or so just to let the tomato paste darken slightly which helps to give it a richer flavour.
Add in the pasta along with the dairy free milk and the stock (either your stock pod and water, or liquid beef stock) and give it a good mix. Cover and allow the pasta to cook, absorbing the liquid, for around 15 minutes, but make sure to check and give it a stir a few times.
💡Note: The total cooking time will depend on the specific pasta so just keep an eye on it and cook until the pasta is al dente. If the pasta has absorbed all the liquid before it’s cooked, just add in some more water.
Once the pasta is cooked, you can mix through the cheese if you’re using until it’s melted through. Top with some chopped fresh parsley and you’re ready to serve into bowls.
Storage and Meal Prep Instructions
To store any leftovers, first allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or dairy free milk to bring back some of the creamy texture to the sauce.
If you’re making this specifically for meal prep, I recommend slightly undercooking the pasta so that it doesn’t go too soft when reheating.
You can freeze this pasta, however the texture of the pasta can change and get a bit soft when reheated which some people don’t like. If you don’t mind, you can freeze portions in a container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as above.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, this recipe is flexible based on what you have. Try to use short pasta shapes like penne, macaroni or spirals. Keep in mind that different shapes may need slightly more or less cooking time and liquid, so keep an eye on it and adjust as needed.
Yes, just use your favourite gluten free pasta instead. Just note that some gluten free pastas cook faster and may need less liquid than regular pasta so keep an eye on it as it cooks, and be sure to stir gently to prevent the pasta breaking.
No, the dairy free cheese is completely optional. It adds a creamy, cheesy flavour, but the dish is still delicious without it.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More easy recipes with beef mince:
Korean Beef Bowls (Quick and Easy!)
Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowl (Viral TikTok Recipe!)
20 Minute Chilli Beef Noodles
Taco Bowls
One Pot Beef Mince Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 brown onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 500 grams beef mince/ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 200 grams small pasta such as shells
- 1 cup dairy free milk such as oat or almond milk
- 1 beef stock pod + 1½ cups water or use 1½ cups liquid beef stock
- ½ cup shredded dairy free cheese optional
- Fresh parsley chopped, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and any liquid has evaporated.
- Stir through the tomato paste, Italian herbs, salt and pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant and dark in colour.
- Add in the pasta, dairy free milk, water and beef stock pod/beef stock. Mix well to combine.
- Cover with a lid and cook for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed. Cooking time may vary depending on the pasta shape used. Add a splash of water if it’s getting too dry before the pasta is cooked.
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir through the dairy free cheese (if using) until melted and creamy. Top with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
Simoné says
Love it ! I substituted dairy free for actual dairy
Sally says
Glad you enjoyed it!