Description
This One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is a quick and comforting meal combining savory ground beef, aromatic garlic, and a rich creamy sauce tossed with pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers a satisfying, flavorful dish that requires minimal cleanup by cooking everything in a single pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Liquids and Pasta
- 3 cups beef broth
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne, rotini, or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
- Add seasoning and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly to release the garlic’s aroma without burning.
- Simmer with broth and pasta: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the pasta, making sure it is submerged in the liquid, and cook according to the pasta package instructions, about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta should become tender while most of the broth absorbs into the dish.
- Create the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes luxuriously creamy.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the pasta and add additional salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness before serving.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but shorter shapes like penne or rotini hold the sauce well.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, noting the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for better flavor and melting quality.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure beef broth is gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of milk or broth.
