Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef Recipe
This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is a comforting and rich pasta dish combining tender penne pasta with a creamy garlic butter sauce, ground beef, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this recipe features bold Italian seasonings and a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Season Beef: Stir in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the cooked beef, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir the mixture together, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to coat all pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Add Parmesan: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking and stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
- Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta in the skillet. Cover with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes off heat to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Finally, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish to add a fresh aroma and color. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- To prevent pasta from sticking, stir occasionally while cooking.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less thick.
- Drain excess fat carefully after cooking the ground beef for a less greasy dish.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste depending on your desired spice level.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
Keywords: cheesy penne, ground beef pasta, garlic butter pasta, creamy pasta, Italian pasta recipe, one pan pasta, comfort food
