Description
A creamy, comforting one-pot pasta dish combining tender ground beef, garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups beef broth (or chicken broth for a lighter taste)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a large pot over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add butter to the beef. Once melted, sauté diced onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in beef broth and heavy cream, bring to a gentle boil. Add pasta ensuring it’s submerged. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Cover and simmer on medium-low for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, or mushrooms for variation.
- Use dairy-free butter and cream alternatives for a vegan version.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms with the beef for extra nutrition.
- Homemade Alfredo sauce can be used in place of store-bought.
- Cover during cooking or baking to prevent drying out.
- Freeze assembled casserole (unbaked) for up to 3 months.
- For crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, or add breadcrumbs before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
