Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner
Description of this recipe: This Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with savory ground beef in a rich and creamy garlic butter sauce. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, yet satisfying enough to impress on a weekend.
Why you will love this recipe: This recipe is a winner for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly easy to make, using simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator. Second, it’s versatile – you can easily customize the seasonings and add-ins to suit your taste. Third, it’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to both kids and adults. The creamy sauce and tender pasta create a comforting and satisfying meal that everyone will love. Plus, it reheats well, making it perfect for meal prepping or leftovers.
Introduction
Creamy pasta dishes are a timeless comfort food, and this Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner takes that concept to the next level. Ground beef adds a hearty and savory element to the creamy sauce, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. The garlic butter sauce, infused with Italian seasoning and a touch of red pepper flakes, provides a depth of flavor that complements the beef and pasta perfectly.
This recipe is designed to be approachable and easy to follow, even for beginner cooks. The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients are readily available. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal, this Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner is sure to become a family favorite.
This recipe isn’t just about throwing ingredients together; it’s about building layers of flavor. Starting with the sautéed garlic and onions, blooming the Italian seasoning, and finishing with creamy richness of heavy cream, each step contributes to the overall deliciousness of the dish. The beef broth adds depth to the sauce, while the red pepper flakes offer a subtle kick that balances the richness.
Ingredients:
→ Pasta & Meat
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
→ Sauce Base
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
→ Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Preparation:
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set aside.
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Use a spatula to break up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet, as this will help prevent the sauce from becoming greasy. Set the cooked beef aside in a bowl.
Step 3: Now it’s time to create the flavorful sauce base. In the same skillet you used for the beef, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will give the sauce a bitter taste.
Step 4: Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant. This helps to bloom the spices and release their full flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and beef broth, whisking to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
Step 5: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss until evenly combined. Make sure the pasta is well coated in the sauce, so every bite is full of flavor. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a salty, cheesy note, while the fresh parsley provides a pop of color and freshness.
COOKING Rating:
- Ease of Preparation: 5/5 (Very Easy)
- Flavor: 5/5 (Excellent)
- Kid-Friendliness: 5/5 (Highly Likely)
- Overall: 5/5 (Highly Recommended)
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing is a perfect complement to the rich and creamy pasta.
- Garlic bread: Serve with warm garlic bread for dipping into the delicious sauce.
- Roasted vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts add a healthy and flavorful side dish.
- Crusty bread: Serve with a loaf of crusty bread for soaking up the extra sauce.
Tips:
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Be sure to cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the sauce.
- Use good quality ground beef: The quality of the ground beef will affect the flavor of the dish.
- Don’t burn the garlic: Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will give the sauce a bitter taste.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste: Feel free to add more or less Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to suit your preference.
- Add vegetables: You can add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition.
- Make it ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated. Store the pasta and sauce separately, then combine them when ready to serve.
- Use different types of pasta: Feel free to use other types of pasta, such as rotini, bow tie, or rigatoni.
- Add cheese: For an even cheesier dish, stir in some shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese at the end.
- Use lean ground beef: Using lean ground beef will reduce the amount of fat in the dish.
- Add a splash of lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens up the sauce and adds a touch of acidity.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Approximate values, may vary based on specific ingredients and portion size)
Calories:
Approximately 550-650 per serving
Protein:
Approximately 30-40 grams per serving
Sodium:
Approximately 500-700mg per serving
Conclusion
This Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner is a versatile and delicious recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make, customizable, and sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a comforting weekend dinner, this recipe is a winner. So gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and enjoy a bowl of creamy, savory goodness!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of ground meat?
A: Absolutely! While this recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground sausage. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked. If using ground sausage, you may want to reduce the amount of Italian seasoning, as some sausage varieties are already heavily seasoned.
Q2: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: Yes, you can easily make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and adding vegetables instead. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach would all be great additions. You can also add a can of drained and rinsed white beans or chickpeas for added protein. Consider using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for the sauce.
Q3: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Of course! Penne pasta is a great choice for this recipe because its ridges help to hold onto the sauce, but you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Rotini, bow tie, rigatoni, or even spaghetti would all work well. Just be sure to cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Q4: Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
A: It is possible to make this dairy-free with some substitutions. You can substitute the butter with olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. For the heavy cream, try using full-fat coconut milk (the kind in a can) or a dairy-free cream alternative made from cashews or oats. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture may be slightly different. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor.
Q5: How long does this dish last in the refrigerator?
A: Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner will last for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to the sauce when reheating to prevent it from drying out.
Creamy Beef Pasta Dinner
Ingredients
- → Pasta & Meat
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- → Sauce Base
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- → Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Use a spatula to break up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet, as this will help prevent the sauce from becoming greasy. Set the cooked beef aside in a bowl.
- Step 3: Now it’s time to create the flavorful sauce base. In the same skillet you used for the beef, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will give the sauce a bitter taste.
- Step 4: Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant. This helps to bloom the spices and release their full flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and beef broth, whisking to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- Step 5: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss until evenly combined. Make sure the pasta is well coated in the sauce, so every bite is full of flavor. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a salty, cheesy note, while the fresh parsley provides a pop of color and freshness.
