Description
Irresistible Creamy Beef Pasta is the ultimate comfort food perfect for cozy nights. This easy one-pan dinner combines tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce that’s both filling and family-friendly, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to use later.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Sauté the onion: Add diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook everything together for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir thoroughly to coat all the pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Melt the cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese along with Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted completely into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Final touch and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Add mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Sauce thickens as it sits; add a splash of beef broth when reheating to loosen it.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
