Description
A comforting one-pot creamy beef and garlic butter pasta that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is browned and combined with sautéed garlic and onions, simmered in a flavorful broth and milk mixture with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, then finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a rich and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb Ground Beef (can be substituted with ground chicken or turkey)
- 2 tbsp Butter (enhances garlic flavor)
- 1 cup Milk (for a richer sauce, heavy cream can be used)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (nutritional yeast can make it dairy-free)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 4 cloves Garlic (fresh garlic preferred)
- 1 medium Onion (shallots can be used for a milder flavor)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (fresh basil can be a substitute)
Pantry & Spices
- 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)
- 8 oz Uncooked Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
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 6 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Sauté Garlic & Onion: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add butter to the empty side and melt it down. Sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion in the butter until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to build layers of flavor.
- Add Liquid & Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir in the uncooked pasta, making sure it’s fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 14 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasonings: Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, mixing well until the sauce becomes creamy and evenly coats the pasta and beef mixture.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan for garnish. 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 lighter version.
- Vegetarian options include using vegetable broth and replacing ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives.
- For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and plant-based milk like almond milk.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness level.
- Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to substitute Italian seasoning with fresh basil, oregano, or thyme.
- Simmer covered to ensure even pasta cooking and to retain moisture in the sauce.
