Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a sear, then break apart and cook until no longer pink.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in diced onion and cook until translucent (about 4 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize. Pour in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper; simmer on low for 15 minutes.
  4. While sauce simmers, boil pasta in salted water until slightly underdone. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  5. Toss drained pasta into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water and Parmesan cheese, stirring vigorously over medium heat for 2 minutes until glossy.
  6. Stir in fresh parsley and serve.