Description
Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring a rich, homemade meat sauce simmered with ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, served over perfectly cooked pasta and topped with creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil. This hearty main course combines deep flavors with a touch of freshness, making it a perfect dinner for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces pasta (rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti)
- 8 ounces burrata cheese (2–3 balls)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth (or water), and sugar if using to balance acidity. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens nicely.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to pot or a serving bowl.
- Combine and Serve: Spoon the rich meat sauce over the pasta and gently toss to combine. Top each serving with torn burrata cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, savory flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavor profiles.
- Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for an extra depth of flavor.
- Burrata is best added just before serving to maintain its creamy, delicate texture.
