5 Tasty Ground Chuck Penne Pasta Recipes

Looking for delicious ground chuck penne pasta recipes that are both comforting and incredibly flavorful? Whether you're planning a cozy family dinner or craving a satisfying meal after a long day, these recipes using ground chuck will ensure a delightful experience. Here are five tempting penne pasta dishes that you can make at home with ease.

Elevated Classic Bolognese

Turn a traditional Bolognese into an enhanced culinary treat with ground chuck. The fat content in chuck adds a richer depth to the sauce, giving you that homely, robust flavor we all love.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chuck
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 cup dry white wine or beef stock
• ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan
• 16 oz penne pasta

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add ground chuck, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned.
2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery; cook until vegetables are softened.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and wine, stirring to combine. Simmer for about 45 minutes.
4. Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and mix with the Bolognese sauce.
6. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

🎯 Note: Ground chuck provides a richer flavor compared to leaner meats, making this Bolognese sauce particularly hearty.

Smokey Chorizo and Chuck Pasta

For a pasta dish with a Spanish twist, combine ground chuck with chorizo for a dish that’s both rich in flavor and surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients:

• ¹⁄₂ lb ground chuck
• ¹⁄₂ lb chorizo, casing removed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¹⁄₄ cup heavy cream
• 16 oz penne pasta
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Steps:

1. In a skillet, cook ground chuck and chorizo over medium heat until browned.
2. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic to the skillet, cooking until onions are translucent.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes and smoked paprika, simmering for about 20 minutes.
4. Stir in heavy cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. While sauce simmers, cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Combine with the sauce.
6. Garnish with parsley before serving.

🎯 Note: The smoked paprika adds an authentic Spanish flavor, enhancing the taste of the chorizo and chuck.

Cheesy Chuck and Spinach Bake

This baked pasta dish is the ultimate in comfort food, combining creamy cheese with juicy ground chuck and nutrient-rich spinach.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chuck
• 16 oz penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 10 oz fresh spinach, rinsed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown ground chuck in a skillet, then set aside.
3. Cook penne pasta as per package directions, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute.
5. Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Add cheese and stir until melted.
6. Stir in spinach, letting it wilt, then add the cooked chuck.
7. Combine with cooked pasta and transfer to a baking dish.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden on top.

🎯 Note: Spinach not only adds color but also nutrition, making this dish not just tasty but wholesome.

Rustic Chuck and Artichoke Bake

For an earthier twist, this penne bake incorporates artichokes, creating a memorable and delicious meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chuck
• 16 oz penne pasta
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¹⁄₂ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown ground chuck, seasoning with salt and pepper.
3. Cook penne pasta as per package instructions, then drain.
4. Combine marinara sauce, chuck, artichoke hearts, and ricotta in a bowl.
5. Mix in cooked pasta, transfer to a baking dish, and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

🎯 Note: This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making it ideal for busy weekdays or meal prep.

Spicy Szechuan Chuck Stir-Fry Pasta

Here’s a fusion recipe that takes penne into exciting territory with Szechuan flavors, combining the warmth of ground chuck with the punch of Asian spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chuck
• 16 oz penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¹⁄₄ cup green onions, sliced

Steps:

1. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add Szechuan peppercorns and red pepper flakes, cooking briefly.
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cook for another minute, then add ground chuck and brown.
4. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Combine with cooked penne, garnish with green onions before serving.

🎯 Note: Adjust the level of spiciness with more or fewer red pepper flakes to suit your taste.

These ground chuck penne pasta recipes provide an array of options from comfort food to exotic flavors. Whether you’re looking for a hearty Bolognese, a flavorful chorizo twist, a creamy spinach and cheese bake, an earthy artichoke-infused dish, or a spicy Szechuan-inspired pasta, there's something here for every palate. Enjoy the rich flavors and textures that ground chuck brings to the table, and make your next pasta night an experience to remember.