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Cinnamon Beef & Pasta Apple Butter Jam

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Cinnamon Beef & Pasta Apple Butter Jam is a bold, sweet-savory fusion dish featuring tender beef, al dente pasta, and the warm spice of apple butter and cinnamon. Perfect for cozy dinners or holiday meals.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi)
  • 1 lb beef stew meat or sirloin, cubed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup apple butter
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice or nutmeg (optional)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • Optional garnish: fresh herbs or a dollop of ricotta

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Sear beef cubes on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat and sauté diced onion until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cinnamon, then return beef to the pan.
  5. Add apple butter and pour in beef broth to cover. Stir to combine.
  6. Simmer covered for 45 minutes to 1 hour until beef is tender and sauce thickened.
  7. Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  8. Combine cooked pasta with beef and sauce, and simmer briefly to meld flavors.
  9. If needed, thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
  10. Serve warm, garnished with herbs or a dollop of ricotta if desired.

Notes

  • Use ground beef for a quicker version.
  • Replace apple butter with applesauce for lighter flavor.
  • Add greens like spinach at the end for extra nutrition.
  • Slow cooker option available—cook on low for 6–8 hours after browning beef.
  • Freezes well—great for batch cooking and reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastyera.com/cinnamon-beef-pasta-apple-butter-jam/