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Creamy Beef Pasta

A silky, comforting dish that blends browned beef, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Meat
  • 8 oz penne pasta You can substitute with other pasta shapes.
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Use a good quality beef for better flavor.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup heavy cream Adjust the amount for desired creaminess.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic is recommended.
  • 1 medium onion, diced Use yellow or white onion.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Add more for garnish if desired.
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning Dried Italian herbs can be used.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp olive oil for sautéing Extra virgin olive oil is recommended.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned, about 7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired sauce consistency is reached. Mix in grated Parmesan until melted.
Combining
  1. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce in the skillet, tossing gently to coat.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For storage, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Gently reheat with a splash of milk or reserved pasta water. Freezing is not recommended for best texture.