Description
A quick and hearty pasta dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender noodles, and a creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting Creamy Beef Pasta is perfect for a satisfying family meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work best)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown the Beef and Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste into the beef mixture. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, then add the Italian seasoning, paprika, chili flakes (if using), and beef broth. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make it Creamy: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer the sauce for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and become creamy.
- Toss Pasta and Cheese: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all the noodles evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the pasta and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil before serving to add a fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage to vary the flavor profile.
- For extra richness and creaminess, stir in 2 ounces of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
- Add fresh or sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to boost the nutrient content and add texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
