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Creamy beef pasta dish ready to serve, topped with herbs.

Creamy Beef Pasta

This creamy beef pasta is a quick and filling dish made with simple ingredients that come together in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for a warm family meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients

  • 8 oz penne pasta You can substitute with any short pasta.
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Ground turkey or chicken can be used as alternatives.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Substituting with whole milk is possible, but the sauce will be thinner.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated for the best flavor.
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp olive oil For sautéing.

Instructions
 

Cooking the Pasta

  • Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

Preparing the Sauce

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant (about 5 minutes).
  • Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned (about 7 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired sauce consistency is reached. Mix in grated Parmesan until melted.

Combining Pasta and Sauce

  • Combine cooked pasta with the sauce in the skillet, tossing gently to coat.

Serving

  • Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Let the pasta cool for up to one hour before storing in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or water.
Keyword Comfort Food, Creamy Beef Pasta, Easy Recipe, Pasta Recipe, Quick Dinner