Description
A quick, one-pot weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, penne pasta, and a rich garlic butter cream sauce. Ready in 25 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Brown the beef for about 5 minutes until crumbled and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving about a tablespoon.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the beef. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine. Add the dry pasta, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb the liquid and release starch to thicken the sauce. Add a splash of broth or water if it looks too dry before the pasta is tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. If too thin, let it sit for a minute to thicken.
- Taste and adjust salt if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not skip browning the beef for better flavor. Always remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Use fresh Parmesan, not pre-grated, for smooth melting. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: one pot meal, creamy pasta, garlic butter beef, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, ground beef pasta, comfort food