Description
A soul-warming comfort meal featuring savory minced beef in a luxuriously silky, smoke-kissed sauce. Ridges of rigatoni are coated in a rich tomato and smoked paprika base, then finished with velvety mascarpone and sharp Parmesan for a truly decadent weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
The Beef & Aromatics
- 17.6 oz minced beef
- 1 diced onion + 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika + 1 tbsp tomato paste
The Sauce Base
- 14.1 oz (1 tin) chopped tomatoes
- 5.1 fl oz beef stock
- 14.1 oz Rigatoni pasta
The Creamy Finish
- 5.3 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1.4 oz grated Parmesan
- 0.35 oz fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Sear: Brown the beef in a pan, letting it sit undisturbed for a few minutes to caramelize. Break it up once browned.
Sauté: Add onions until translucent, then stir in garlic, paprika, and tomato paste. ‘Toast’ the paste for 1 minute.
Simmer: Add tomatoes and beef stock. Simmer for 10 mins until thickened.
Pasta: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve a splash of pasta water.
Emulsify: Stir mascarpone, Parmesan, and parsley into the sauce. Add pasta and a splash of starchy water, tossing until glossy.
Notes
The Caramelization Rule: Resisting the urge to stir the beef creates a dark ‘crust’ (the fond) that provides essential umami.
Mascarpone vs. Cream Cheese: Mascarpone offers a higher fat content and milder flavor, creating a velvet-like finish without the tang of cream cheese.
Liquid Gold: Starchy pasta water acts as a natural emulsifier, bonding the fats to the acidic tomato sauce for a smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Pasta
- Method: Skillet Simmering
- Cuisine: European Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 840
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Unsaturated Fat: 19
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 110
Keywords: creamy paprika beef pasta, smoked paprika rigatoni, ground beef mascarpone pasta, easy weeknight pasta, smoky beef pasta sauce, 30 minute comfort food, creamy tomato beef pasta