Description
This One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is browned and combined with sautéed garlic and onions, then simmered with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, beef broth, milk, and uncooked pasta to create a creamy, flavorful sauce all in one skillet. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, it’s a quick and easy meal that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Can be substituted with ground chicken or turkey)
- 2 tbsp Butter (Enhances garlic flavor)
- 4 cloves Garlic (Fresh garlic preferred)
- 1 medium Onion (Shallots can be used for a milder flavor)
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning (Fresh herbs can be substitutes)
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Adjust based on spice preference)
- 2 cups Beef Broth (Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian version)
- 1 cup Milk (For a richer sauce use heavy cream)
- 8 oz Uncooked Pasta (Penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can make it dairy-free)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (Fresh basil can be a substitute)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, for about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed to avoid a greasy final dish.
- Sauté Garlic & Onion: Push the cooked beef to one side of the skillet. Add the butter to the empty side and let it melt. Sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to incorporate their flavors evenly.
- Add Liquid & Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and milk, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Add the uncooked pasta, making sure it is submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and let it simmer over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasonings: Once the pasta is tender, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese along with salt and black pepper, mixing well until the sauce is creamy and evenly coats the pasta and beef mixture.
- Serve & Enjoy: Garnish the pasta with fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot alongside garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Adding heavy cream instead of milk will make the sauce richer and creamier.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Fresh garlic and onion provide the best flavor, but shallots can be used for a milder taste.
- Be sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the skillet.
