Stovetop
Ground Pork
Creamy Tuscan Pork Pasta
Ground pork, tender pasta, and a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce come together in one skillet for an easy family dinner that's cozy, satisfying, and packed with flavour. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal with minimal cleanup.
Prep:
10 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Serves:
4-6
Best Cuts:
Cooking Method:
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground pork
- 4 cups (340 g) uncooked pasta
- 1 small white or yellow onion, diced (about 5 oz / 140 g)
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ cup (125 mL) sun-dried tomato pesto
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
- 2 cups (500 mL) beef broth
- 2 cups (500 mL) milk
- 2 tsp (10 mL) onion powder
- 2 tsp (10 mL) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
- 1 tsp (5 mL) Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) black pepper
- 2 handfuls (about 2 cups / 60 g) fresh spinach
- 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook, breaking the pork apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Step 2
Add the butter, diced onion, minced garlic, and sun-dried tomato pesto. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the onion has softened and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3
Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in the beef broth and milk, then stir until everything is well combined.
Step 4
Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 5
Remove the peppers from the oven. Spoon the marinara sauce over and inside each pepper, then top with the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, until wilted.
Step 6
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce becomes rich and creamy. If needed, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Step 7
Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
Calories: 570, Protein: 32 g, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Fat: 31 g Fibre: 3 g, Sugar: 7 g, Sodium: 780 mg
TIP:
Stir the pasta once or twice while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of warm milk or beef broth before serving. For extra flavour, garnish with chopped fresh basil, parsley, or additional grated Parmesan.
