Description
This Creamy Beef Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender penne pasta with a rich, garlicky cream sauce and savory ground beef. Enhanced with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect meal for a cozy dinner that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Cooking Fat
- 2 tsp olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water to use later in the sauce.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. This step builds the flavorful base of the dish.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse the meat with herbaceous flavors.
- Create the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Slowly add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy beef mixture.
- Serve: Dish the creamy beef pasta hot onto plates. Optionally, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water when draining to adjust the sauce thickness as needed.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and prevent a greasy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh parsley or additional Parmesan cheese work great as garnishes.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy dinner, Italian seasoning, Parmesan beef pasta, comfort food
