This tagliatelle pasta dish with ground meat and tomato sauce is a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for family dinners or even for meal prepping throughout the week. With the rich flavors of garlic, tomato paste, and Italian herbs combined with the tender texture of tagliatelle, this dish brings a comforting and delicious taste to the table. Easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, this pasta dish will become a go-to recipe for busy days when you want something filling yet simple.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Ground meat – 300 g
• Tagliatelle pasta – 220 g
• Onion – 100 g
• Fresh parsley – 10 g
• Carrot – 50 g
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Tomato paste – 2 tbsp
• All-purpose flour – ½ tsp
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp
• Water – 600 ml
• Italian herb blend – ½ tsp
• Garlic powder – ⅓ tsp
• Sugar – ⅔ tsp
• Ground black pepper – to taste
• Salt – to taste

Tools You Will Need:

• Carving board
• Bowl
• Pan

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Chop the onion and carrot: Start by finely chopping the onion and grating the carrot. These vegetables will add flavor and texture to the meat sauce.
2. Mince the garlic: Use a garlic press or chop the garlic cloves finely.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Meat

1. Heat the oil: In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Cook the onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly translucent.
3. Add the ground meat: Next, add the ground meat to the pan. Stir and cook it for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it browns.

Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Sauce

1. Add the carrot: Once the meat is browned, add the grated carrot to the pan. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add tomato paste and flour: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and ½ teaspoon of flour. The flour helps thicken the sauce, while the tomato paste gives it a rich flavor. Cook for another 2 minutes to eliminate the raw taste of the tomato paste.
3. Add water and seasonings: Gradually pour in 600 ml of water, stirring continuously. Add the Italian herb blend, garlic powder, sugar, ground black pepper, and salt to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Cook the Tagliatelle Pasta

1. Boil the water: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the pasta: Add the tagliatelle to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 7-9 minutes, until al dente.
3. Drain the pasta: Once cooked, drain the tagliatelle and set aside. If the sauce is still cooking, toss the pasta with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

1. Mix the pasta with the sauce: Add the cooked tagliatelle to the pan with the meat sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
2. Garnish with parsley: Finely chop the fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the pasta before serving.

Cooking Tips:

• Choose your meat: You can use ground beef, pork, chicken, or even a combination for this recipe. Ground turkey is another lean option if you want to reduce the fat content.
• Adjust the seasoning: Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices to your taste. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want to give the sauce a bit of heat.
• Cheese topping: Although not listed in the ingredients, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of flavor.

Storage:

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat.
• Freeze: You can freeze this pasta dish for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm it up in a pan, adding a splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Protein: 22 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Sugar: 6 g

FAQs:

1. Can I use other types of pasta?
   Yes, you can substitute tagliatelle with any long pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, or pappardelle. Short pasta like penne or fusilli also works well.
2. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
   Absolutely! You can replace the ground meat with a plant-based alternative or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
3. Can I add more vegetables?
   Feel free to add more vegetables to the sauce, like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach, to make it even heartier.
4. What if I don’t have tomato paste?
   If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use canned tomatoes or tomato sauce, though you might need to reduce the amount of water to prevent the sauce from becoming too runny.
5. How can I make the sauce richer?
   You can add a splash of cream or a bit of grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce while it’s simmering to make it richer and more flavorful.

Conclusion:

This tagliatelle with ground meat and tomato sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to enjoy a comforting pasta meal. The combination of seasoned ground meat, tomato sauce, and al dente tagliatelle creates a well-balanced dish that’s satisfying and easy to prepare. With a few tips for customization and storage, this recipe can be adapted to your preferences and meal planning needs. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a family, this dish is sure to please!