Indulge in Creamy Mascarpone Spaghetti with Savory Ground Beef: Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner
There are some dishes that just stick with you, becoming instant classics in your kitchen. For me, that’s this incredible Creamy Spaghetti with Mascarpone and Ground Beef. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a culinary embrace, a promise of comfort, and a testament to how simple ingredients can create profound flavors. Why does it hold such a special place? Because it consistently delivers. It’s wonderfully quick to prepare, perfect for those bustling weekdays when time is a luxury. Chances are, most of the ingredients are already nestled in your pantry and fridge, making it an effortless choice for any evening. This dish is the epitome of a hassle-free yet deeply satisfying meal, offering a creamy, rich, and utterly delicious experience that will undoubtedly become a staple in your home.
This delightful pasta dish is not only great for busy weekdays but also perfect for those occasions when you want to serve something truly delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Its rich, velvety sauce beautifully coats every strand of spaghetti, offering a warm hug in every bite. It’s simple, yet profoundly good – a true comfort food masterpiece.

Quick Mascarpone Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Beef: A Family Favorite Story
Every great recipe often has a memorable origin story, and this Mascarpone Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Beef is no exception. I distinctly recall the day this recipe came to life. It was a chaotic Thursday evening, one of those days where the hours simply melted away, leaving me with little energy but a strong craving for something warm, substantial, and incredibly tasty. A quick glance into my refrigerator revealed a few humble heroes: vibrant carrots (always a staple), a tub of creamy mascarpone, some tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a trusty pack of ground beef.
The culinary wheels began to turn, and with a dash of improvisation, this delightful pasta dish was born. From that busy Thursday forward, it swiftly ascended to the status of a beloved family favorite. My children, usually quite discerning, now enthusiastically request it by name! The aroma that fills the kitchen as it simmers is utterly intoxicating, and the finished plate looks so inviting, resembling a gourmet treat rather than a quick weeknight creation. It shares the same philosophy as my cherished classic spaghetti Bolognese – a harmony of simple, readily available ingredients transformed into a meal brimming with robust, unforgettable flavor. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a solution for delicious, stress-free dining that brings smiles to every face at the table.
Expert Tips for Unforgettable Creamy Spaghetti with Mascarpone and Ground Beef
To truly elevate your Creamy Spaghetti with Mascarpone and Ground Beef from good to absolutely incredible, a few thoughtful techniques can make all the difference. These tips focus on maximizing flavor and achieving that perfectly smooth, rich texture that defines this dish. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure every spoonful is a delight:
- Finely Chop Onions for a Sweet Base: Don’t rush this step. Dicing your onions very finely and cooking them slowly over low to medium heat allows them to caramelize gently, releasing their natural sugars. This creates a wonderfully sweet and aromatic foundation for your sauce, deepening its overall flavor profile.
- Room Temperature Mascarpone for Smoothness: Mascarpone is a delicate cheese. Using it straight from the fridge can cause it to separate or curdle when added to a warm sauce. For the silkiest, most luxurious sauce, always ensure your mascarpone is at room temperature before stirring it in. This helps it melt seamlessly and incorporate perfectly.
- Properly Cooked Carrots for Texture and Sweetness: Carrots are not just for color here; they add a subtle sweetness and a pleasant textural bite to the sauce. Ensure they are cooked until tender-crisp, allowing their natural sweetness to shine without becoming mushy. This balance is key to a well-rounded sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef Thoroughly: Achieving a good sear on your ground beef is crucial. Brown it completely, breaking it into small, even pieces. This caramelization adds a depth of savory, umami flavor and ensures the meat integrates beautifully into the sauce, rather than simply sitting on top.
- Mascarpone and Tomato Passata: A Perfect Pair: The magic of this sauce lies in the combination of rich mascarpone and smooth tomato passata (sieved tomatoes). Together, they create a velvety, comforting sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti. The passata provides a bright tomato base, while the mascarpone adds an unparalleled creaminess.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes for a Burst of Flavor: These little gems are flavor powerhouses. Adding sun-dried tomatoes towards the end of the cooking process preserves their intense, concentrated sweet-and-savory notes. Their chewy texture and robust taste provide a wonderful contrast and a burst of Mediterranean essence.
- Al Dente Pasta is Non-Negotiable: Cook your spaghetti until it is just al dente – firm to the bite. Remember, it will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce. Overcooked pasta can become gummy and lose its appealing texture, so keep a close eye on it!

Â
Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.
Need more inspiration?
- You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!
📖 Recipe: Creamy Spaghetti with Mascarpone and Ground Beef
RECIPE CARD

Andréa
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dinner
European Cuisine, Italian, Mediterranean
4
persons
1124
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 oz sieved tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian herbs
- 2 bay leaves
- 10½ oz spaghetti
- 1 cup mascarpone
- 5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, in strips
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened and translucent, forming a sweet base for your sauce.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 onions
-
Stir in the pressed garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.2 cloves garlic
-
Add the diced carrots to the pan and continue to cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.2 cups carrots
-
Crumble the ground beef into the pan with the vegetables. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.1 pound ground beef
-
Pour in the sieved tomatoes (passata). Season with sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, stirring well to combine all the flavors.28 oz sieved tomatoes, 1 tablespoon sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon Italian herbs
-
Nestle the bay leaves into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.2 bay leaves
-
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until it is perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta well.10½ oz spaghetti
-
Once the sauce has simmered, remove and discard the bay leaves. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the room temperature mascarpone until the sauce is smooth and beautifully creamy.1 cup mascarpone
-
Finally, fold in the sun-dried tomatoes, adding a burst of sweet and savory flavor to the finished sauce.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes
-
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the rich mascarpone sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy this comforting, creamy masterpiece!
Notes
2. Can I use something else instead of mascarpone? While mascarpone is highly recommended for its unique richness and smooth consistency, you can substitute it with full-fat cream cheese for a similar creamy effect. However, be aware that cream cheese might have a slightly tangier flavor profile compared to the sweeter, milder mascarpone.
3. What other veggies can I add? This recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to boost the nutritional content and flavor with other vegetables. Diced zucchini, bell peppers (any color), or fresh spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted) are excellent additions. You can truly make it your own based on what you have on hand or what your family enjoys.
4. Storage of Leftovers Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delectable pasta, proper storage ensures they remain just as tasty the next day.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled completely, transfer the spaghetti and sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk, water, or even a little chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture, preventing it from drying out.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 105g
Protein: 41g
Fat: 62g
Saturated Fat: 27g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 138mg
Sodium: 931mg
Fiber: 12g
Sugar: 31g
Vitamin A: 12323IU
Vitamin C: 38mg
Iron: 10mg
a dinner with spaghetti
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
More Pasta Perfection: Explore 3 Similar Recipes!
- 15-Minute Creamy Scampi Tagliatelle
- Quick Skillet Lasagna – Ready in 20 Minutes
- Indonesian-Style Macaroni with Spicy Ground Beef and Fried Egg
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a busy home cook, this Creamy Spaghetti with Mascarpone and Ground Beef recipe is designed to impress with minimal effort. It’s a dish that wraps you in warmth and flavor, making even the busiest days feel a little more special. We hope this culinary journey brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to ours! Enjoy your delicious, comforting meal.