Easy 3-Ingredient Pasta Recipe for Busy Weeknight Magic

Whipping up a delectable 3-ingredient pasta can be surprisingly simple and incredibly satisfying.

Busy home cooks appreciate meals that come together quickly without compromising flavor.

Minimal ingredients often spark maximum creativity in the kitchen.

Pasta lovers understand that sometimes less truly means more when crafting delicious dishes.

Smart cooking doesn’t require complicated techniques or endless shopping lists.

Simplicity can unlock remarkable culinary potential with just a few thoughtful components.

Let this recipe inspire you to embrace uncomplicated, mouthwatering meal preparation.

3-Ingredient Pasta Quick Simple And Satisfying

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: A super-fast dinner solution that comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a hassle-free meal.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires only three simple ingredients – ground beef, marinara sauce, and pasta – making grocery shopping and preparation incredibly straightforward and budget-friendly.
• One-Pot Convenience: Eliminates multiple dishes and complicated cooking steps, allowing home cooks to prepare a delicious meal with minimal cleanup and maximum efficiency.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Creates a classic, crowd-pleasing pasta dish that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the table will enjoy a satisfying and hearty meal.

Pasta Elements in 3-Ingredient Recipe

• Pasta: Hearty base for the dish, classic comfort food that absorbs the sauce beautifully. Short pasta like penne or rotini works best for easy mixing.
• Ground Beef: Protein-packed main ingredient that adds rich flavor and substance. Lean ground beef recommended for healthier option.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian sauce with tomato base, provides deep flavor and moisture. Jarred sauce saves time, homemade works great too.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances and brightens the entire dish. Kosher or sea salt preferred.
• Water: Helps create perfect sauce consistency and cooks pasta. Tap or filtered water works well.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds final flavor punch. Freshly grated recommended for best taste.
• Fresh Basil: Bright herb that provides fresh, aromatic finishing touch. Optional but recommended for authentic Italian flair.

Boil, Drain, Mix: 3-Ingredient Pasta Directions

Step 1: Brown Ground Meat

Heat a spacious pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Toss in ground beef and crumble it into tiny pieces using a wooden spoon.

Cook until the meat transforms into a rich, golden brown color and is completely cooked through, which takes approximately 6 minutes.

Sprinkle some salt to enhance the flavor.

Step 2: Create Sauce Base

Lower the heat to medium and pour in marinara sauce.

Fill the empty marinara jar with water and pour it into the pot.

Gently stir everything together, creating a harmonious sauce mixture.

Step 3: Introduce Pasta

Drop the pasta directly into the sauce and stir thoroughly, ensuring each noodle gets coated with the flavorful liquid.

Step 4: Simmer and Cook

Bring the pasta and sauce to a gentle simmer with soft, barely visible bubbles.

Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5: Add Additional Liquid

Pour in another cup of water and continue cooking.

Keep stirring regularly until the pasta reaches a perfect tender texture, which takes around 15 more minutes.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves on top.

Serve the pasta immediately while it’s hot and steaming.

Pasta Tricks With Only Three Ingredients

• Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Add water incrementally to maintain desired sauce consistency and help pasta cook evenly without drying out.
• Break ground beef into small, uniform pieces while browning to ensure even cooking and better texture in the final dish.
• Sprinkle fresh parmesan and basil just before serving to elevate the taste and add a fresh, aromatic touch to the simple pasta.
• Use a large pot or Dutch oven to minimize cleanup and create a convenient, hassle-free meal for busy weeknights.

Three-Ingredient Pasta Keeps Simple and Fresh

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying. Stir frequently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

Quick Combos For 3-Ingredient Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the hearty beef and tomato sauce, enhancing the pasta's rich flavors.
• Serve with Crispy Garlic Bread: Create a perfect side by toasting slices of Italian bread with olive oil, garlic, and herbs to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural contrast.
• Complement with Fresh Arugula Salad: Toss a light, peppery arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's richness and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the meaty dish.
• Add Creamy Burrata on Top: Dollop a small piece of creamy burrata cheese over the finished pasta to introduce a luxurious, smooth element that melts beautifully into the warm dish.

Easy Takes on Pasta

• Vegetarian Pasta Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meatless version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, chopped kalamata olives, and dried oregano to create a zesty Mediterranean-inspired one-pot meal with enhanced depth.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while keeping the sauce and cooking method similar.

FAQs

• Is this recipe good for beginners?

Absolutely! This 3-ingredient pasta is super simple and requires minimal cooking skills. You just need to brown meat, add sauce and water, and cook pasta in one pot.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives work perfectly. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding sauce.

• Do I need any special cooking equipment?

No special equipment needed. A large pot or Dutch oven and a wooden spoon are all you’ll use. This makes the recipe budget-friendly and easy to prepare.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Consider adding some frozen vegetables like peas or spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This boosts nutrition without complicating the recipe.

3-Ingredient Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Luxurious 3-ingredient pasta whisks home cooks through Italian culinary magic with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Simple ingredients create an elegant meal packed with comfort and deliciousness you will savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef or turkey

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle)

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 1 jar (approximately 25 ounces or 709 grams) marinara sauce

Garnish (Optional):

• Grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Preheat a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, introducing ground beef and fragmenting it with a sturdy utensil until thoroughly caramelized and fully cooked, approximately 6 minutes. Season with salt for enhanced flavor.
2. Reduce heat to medium, incorporating marinara sauce and replenishing the empty jar with water, creating a liquid base. Gently integrate all components.
3. Introduce pasta directly into the simmering sauce mixture, ensuring complete submersion and even distribution.
4. Allow the culinary blend to reach a gentle bubbling state, maintaining a consistent low-intensity simmer. Stir periodically to prevent pasta adherence and promote uniform cooking.
5. Monitor liquid levels, supplementing with additional water if necessary. Continue cooking, stirring attentively until pasta achieves optimal tenderness and sauce reaches desired consistency, roughly 25-30 minutes total.
6. Elevate the dish’s presentation by delicately sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese and scattering vibrant basil leaves across the surface. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Customize pasta types by using gluten-free or whole wheat options for different dietary needs.
• Enhance flavor intensity by adding minced garlic or Italian herbs during ground beef browning stage for deeper taste profile.
• Prevent pasta sticking by stirring consistently and using a large, wide pot that allows ingredients to move freely during cooking.
• Reduce sodium content by selecting low-sodium marinara sauce and controlling additional salt quantities.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg