Description
This Creamy Ground Beef Pasta recipe combines tender pasta with a rich, flavorful beef and cream sauce, topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be customized with different proteins or veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or rotini)
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
- Season and combine: Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate pasta and cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese until thoroughly melted and creamy, coating the pasta evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top if desired, and serve the creamy ground beef pasta hot for the best taste.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a leaner option.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to maintain the perfect al dente texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
