30-Minute Ground Beef Pasta with Peas and Vegetables
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This 30-minute ground beef and pea pasta is one of those dependable weeknight dinners that I turn to when life feels busy but everyone still wants something hearty and homemade. It’s made with ground beef, carrots, onion, celery, and sweet peas — simple ingredients that cook together into a light but flavorful pasta that feels cozy without being too heavy.
It’s kid-friendly, filling, and quick enough to make on a weeknight without feeling rushed — which, in my house, is exactly what dinner needs to be!
Why This Pasta Is a Staple in Our House
Ground beef and pasta are two things my family never gets tired of, and honestly, that makes dinner planning a whole lot easier. Growing up in the Midwest, beef was always on the table, and now it’s something I lean on all the time because it cooks quickly, it’s affordable, and it pairs so well with vegetables.
This recipe is one of those meals I can pull together in the afternoon and just keep warm on the stove until we’re ready to eat. Sometimes I’ll make the beef and vegetable sauce ahead of time, then all I have to do is boil the pasta right before dinner. I love when recipes come together this easily!
My kids love pasta nights (what kid doesn’t?), and I love that this one sneaks in vegetables like carrots, onion, celery, and peas without making it complicated. Even if they pick around a few veggies, I still feel good knowing it’s a hearty, balanced meal.
And the tomato paste in this recipe is one of those small ingredients that makes a big difference. It adds rich, concentrated flavor without turning this into a heavy marinara-style sauce — just enough to make everything taste cozy and savory.
This recipe also reheats really well, which makes leftovers for lunch the next day something I actually look forward to.
If your family enjoys easy ground beef dinners like my One-Skillet Ground Beef & Spinach Ravioli, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ground Beef, or Loaded Ground Beef Taco Salad with Creamy Taco Salad Dressing, this pasta fits right into that same simple, family-friendly dinner routine.
Simple Tips That Make This Recipe Even Easier
One thing I’ve learned over time is that a few small steps can make dinner feel much more manageable. If you have a few minutes in the morning, chopping the carrots, onion, and celery ahead of time and storing them in the fridge makes cooking later feel almost effortless.
This is also a great recipe to make ahead. The beef and vegetable sauce can be cooked earlier in the day and kept in the fridge, then when dinner time rolls around, you just boil the pasta and toss everything together. It’s simple, flexible, and works whether you’re home in the afternoon or walking in the door after work.
And don’t skip saving some pasta water — that starchy water helps bring the sauce together and gives it that smooth, glossy finish that makes everything cling to the pasta just right.
Ingredients and Instructions
I hope this beef and pea pasta becomes one of those easy weeknight meals your family asks for again and again. If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turns out — leave a comment below and let me know! And if you want more quick and family-friendly dinner recipes, come follow along on Instagram for new ideas and behind-the-scenes from my kitchen.
30-Minute Ground Beef Pasta with Peas and Vegetables
A hearty, family-friendly pasta loaded with ground beef, tender vegetables, and sweet peas in a simple, savory sauce. It’s cozy, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound short-cut pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large carrot, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1¼ cups frozen peas
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Reserved pasta water (about ½–1 cup)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 1 pound short-cut pasta (penne, rotini, or shells) according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ to 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Soften the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, drizzle olive in a large skillet or Dutch oven and place over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion, 1 finely diced large carrot, and 2 finely diced celery stalks. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. This step helps the vegetables blend nicely into the sauce and keeps the overall cook time short.
3. Brown the beef: Add 2 pounds ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned and no longer pink. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
4. Build the sauce: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Pour in 2 cups beef stock, then add 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and the flavors to develop.
5. Add the peas: Stir in 1¼ cups frozen peas and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until heated through.
6. Combine: Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together. Stir in splashes of the reserved pasta water (start with about ¼ cup and add more as needed) to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly. Continue stirring for about 1 minute, until the sauce looks glossy and slightly thickened.
7. Serve: Spoon into bowls and top generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Finely dice the carrots, celery, and onion so they soften quickly and blend nicely into the sauce.
- Cook the pasta al dente so it holds up well for leftovers.
- This sauce freezes well, making it a great option for meal prep or doubling the recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 633Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 724mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 51g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.
