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Veggie Meat Sauce Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 11 reviews

This hearty Veggie Meat Sauce recipe combines ground beef with a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a rich pasta sauce, served over your choice of penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a satisfying and nutritious meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 lb pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground beef (85/15 blend preferred)
  • 1 small eggplant, diced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 24 ounces pasta sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)

Instructions

  1. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil in preparation for cooking the pasta.
  2. Heat Olive Oil: Place a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the olive oil to warm it up.
  3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook it thoroughly until it is browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  4. Cook Vegetables: Push the browned meat to one side of the pan, then add the diced eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender and soft.
  5. Combine Meat and Vegetables: Stir the softened vegetables into the meat evenly in the pan.
  6. Add Sauce: Pour in the pasta sauce and mix well to combine all the ingredients.
  7. Season and Simmer: Add kosher salt to taste, stir again, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
  8. Cook Pasta: Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt, then add the pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
  9. Drain Pasta: Remove the pasta from the boiling water and drain thoroughly.
  10. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the veggie meat sauce and toss everything together until well coated.
  11. Serve: Plate the pasta immediately while hot and enjoy your delicious veggie meat sauce.

Notes

  • For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
  • You can substitute store-bought pasta sauce with homemade marinara for a fresher taste.
  • Adjust salt to your preference, especially if your pasta sauce is already salted.
  • Adding fresh basil or oregano can enhance the flavor profile.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/veggie-meat-sauce-pasta-recipe/