Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce
Semi Homemade Deliciousness
If you’re looking for a pasta dinner that feels fancy without actual effort, this Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce with lean ground beef, sweet onions, crushed tomatoes, and the beloved Knorr Parma Rosa mix will be your new velvety comforting obsession. Add a splash of cream, a little simmer time, and some fresh Parmesan on top and you’ve got the kind of magic sauce that is perfect tossed with ziti, but truly any pasta shape works.
If you have followed me you know that I use the Parma Rosa packets for a few recipes, including the most popular Ravioli in Parmesan Broth. They are just great packets to keep on hand if you need a quick dinner.
This recipe for the Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce is bulked up with beef and onions and just makes for a very hearty meal that’s perfect for these cold winter days in the Midwest.
Parma Rosa Packets
The Parma Rosa sauce packets are sold at most grocery stores that I go to. They are not in the pasta aisle, instead you can find them in the aisle with the packet gravies and the taco seasonings.
If you cannot find it you can check the Knorr Website for where they sell them. I do know they also sell it on Amazon.
I think you have to buy six packets on Amazon which is okay because you can keep this in your pantry for next time or the other recipes I use it for.
If you see that the store has other Knorr packets, you can ask the store manager to order the Parma Rosa for you because it will be on their list to order if they already carry the other packets.
Pick Your Pasta
Any pasta will be really good with this Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce but I highly recommend using a tube-like pasta or shell so the crevices will hold all the delicious meaty sauce. I used ziti for this recipe, but shells or Mostacciolli would also be really good.
Toss Your Pasta, Or Not
You can add the cooked pasta right to the sauce as it says in the recipe card. I chose not to since we were eating at different times so I did not want the pasta to soak up all the sauce.
You can reheat the sauce and just serve it on top of the pasta. You can do whichever way you prefer.
Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce Recipe
This Meaty Parma Rosa Pasta Sauce is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor thanks to a blend of ground beef, tomatoes, and the classic Knorr Parma Rosa mix. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that tastes like it simmered all day, but comes together with simple pantry ingredients. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes (use less or omit if you prefer a less tomato-forward sauce)
- 2 packets Knorr Parma Rosa sauce mix (There is a picture of this product in the post before the recipe card for reference)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup to 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- Optional: pinch of dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 cup water (I use this to rinse out the tomato can)
- Pasta of your choice (I used ziti, cook according to package directions)
- Reserved pasta water, if needed
- Fresh Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot, add the lean ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is fully browned, crumbled finely, and the onions are soft. If you’re using higher-fat beef, drain the grease before moving on.
- Sprinkle in both packets of Knorr Parma Rosa sauce mix and the butter.
- Add the crushed tomatoes. I prefer using the full can for a richer, tomato-forward sauce. For a lighter flavor, use half the can or omit entirely.
- Pour in the ½ cup of water to get the last of the tomatoes from the can (optional, but recommended).
- Add onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and optional dried Italian herbs. Stir until fully combined. You may need to use a whisk.
- Let the sauce simmer for 35 minutes, lid off, stirring occasionally. This helps it thicken and deepen in flavor. Stir while this simmers.
- Add the Cream
- Once the sauce has thickened, add 3/4 cup to 1 cup of heavy cream or more if you prefer an extra-creamy Parma Rosa.
- Let this simmer on very low heat for 10 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water in case your sauce needs thinning.
- Add your cooked pasta directly into the pan of sauce. Let everything come to a low simmer for 5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the sauce.
- Spoon into bowls and top with plenty of fresh Parmesan.