Description
This Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner is your new weeknight hero! Made in just one pot, it’s rich, garlicky, and ultra comforting—loaded with tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a silky, cheesy cream sauce. Cozy, quick, and anything but boring!! Perfect for feeding the whole family or meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2½ cups penne pasta (uncooked)
3 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
Reduce heat slightly and add butter, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in uncooked pasta, then pour in the beef broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese. Let simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and turns silky.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother, meltier finish—pre-shredded cheese can be a little grainy.
You can swap in ground turkey, chicken, or sausage if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Want to sneak in some veggies? Add chopped spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers during step 2.
Leftovers keep beautifully! Store in the fridge up to 4 days, and reheat with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.
Not a fan of penne? Rotini, elbows, or shells work just as well. Just keep an eye on cooking times.