One Pot Quick and Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta 🔥
The first time I made this pasta dish, I knew we had to keep it in mind..
The first time I made this pasta dish, I knew we had to keep it in mind for our next camping trip. After a whole day of walking and exploring the forest, a good, hearty bowl of pasta with meat and creamy sauce is just what you need. I know this from my very spontaneous (if not accidental) camping trip with friends in Ireland about ten years ago. We took a train from Dublin to spend a few days in Cork, and exploring enchanted woodlands was naturally on our must-do list. However, the oaks, ivy and bluebells took us off the track and we soon realized that we were lost. Our GPS showed that we were in the middle of nowhere, and no matter which direction we took, it didn't seem to lead us back to civilization. As it was getting dark, we smelled smoke nearby and found a group of hippies camping. Nowadays, I would of course be deeply anxious if I came across strangers in the woods, but back then, when we were hungry, wet — it's Ireland, after all — and exhausted, we just asked if we could sit around the fire and get some rest and warmth. We were lucky, as the hippies were lovely people. They fed us boiled potatoes and suggested that we stay overnight, as we were apparently about five miles (three killometres) away from the nearest village. However, we didn’t stay. After recharging our batteries and receiving clear directions, we walked on and found ourselves at the village pub/hotel, where we slept like babies.
This dish would be ideal if you want to camp and prepare something tasty outdoors. It's also great if you're not a big fan of washing up, since it only requires one pot!
Ingredients:
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 1/2 tbsp butter
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian herbs
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or chili flakes (optional)
3 1/2 cups (820 ml) chicken stock or broth
2 cups (250 g) penne pasta or any pasta of your choice
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
¼ cup (30 g) mozzarella cheese (optional)
Parsley or chives (optional)
Kitchen utensils: skillet or pot with a lid, chopping board, knife, spatula or wooden spoon, cheese grater.