---
title: Penne with Beef & Zucchini Ragù
source:
  name: HelloFresh
  url: https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/penne-with-beef-zucchini-ragu-651afb1c8e598ea2ad62ca78
servings: 2
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 15 minutes
time required: 25 minutes
difficulty: Easy
allergens:
  - Wheat
  - Milk
tags:
  - Italian
  - Quick
  - Comfort Food
  - Family Friendly
rating: 4.5
rating_count: 7600
source_chef: Michelle Doll Olson
review_highlights:
  - theme: Flavor
    text: Many enjoyed the creamy, beefy sauce, though some found it bland and wanted more tomato flavor or seasoning.
  - theme: Ease of prep
    text: Quick and simple to make, with grated zucchini adding a sneaky veggie boost that even picky eaters enjoyed.
image: "https://images.recipes.furrysalamander.com/penne-with-beef-zucchini-rag.avif"
---

@penne pasta{8%oz}
@shallot{1%unit}
@garlic{2%cloves}
@zucchini{1%unit}
@ground beef{12%oz}
@italian seasoning{1%tsp}
@tomato paste{2%tbsp}
@philadelphia cream cheese{2%oz}
@beef stock concentrate{1%unit}
@parmesan cheese{2%oz}
@cooking oil{1%tbsp}
@sugar{½%tsp}
@butter{1%tbsp}

Bring a #large pot{} of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add penne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente ~{10%minutes}. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Meanwhile, wash and dry produce. Halve, peel, and finely dice shallot. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Trim and grate zucchini on the largest holes of a box grater. Place zucchini in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Gather into a tight bundle and squeeze over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible. -- Alternatively, place grated zucchini in a fine-mesh strainer and press down with a spatula.

Heat a drizzle of cooking oil in a #large pan{} over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, shallot, italian seasoning, a big pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and mostly cooked through ~{4%minutes}. -- It will finish cooking in the next step.

Add tomato paste to pan with beef. Cook, stirring, until tomato paste is well combined and beef is cooked through ~{2%minutes}. Stir in zucchini, garlic, and a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until zucchini is tender ~{3%minutes}.

Stir in philadelphia cream cheese, beef stock concentrate, ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water, and ½ tsp sugar. Simmer until sauce has slightly thickened ~{2%minutes}. Season with salt and pepper. -- If you have some on hand, add a pinch of chili flakes from your pantry for a spicy kick.

Reduce heat to medium low. Stir drained penne, half the parmesan cheese, and 1 TBSP butter into pan with sauce until combined. -- If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Divide pasta between plates or bowls. Top with remaining parmesan cheese and serve.