Description
Cheesy Penne Garlic Butter Ground Beef is the ultimate quick dinner, combining tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a creamy garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights or a family-friendly dinner. Loaded with cheese and comforting flavors, it’s a hit with both adults and kids.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (beef, turkey, or chicken can be used)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for extra richness)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for a burst of color and flavor)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for later.
- Brown the ground beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the butter to the skillet with the browned beef. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the cheese: Stir in the mozzarella and parmesan cheese, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Serve: Once everything is well combined, serve the pasta hot. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream: For the richest and creamiest sauce, use full-fat heavy cream. If you want a lighter version, you can substitute it with half-and-half, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- Don’t overcook the garlic: Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing it. Garlic cooks quickly and can become bitter if overcooked. Only sauté it for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Adjust the cheese levels: Add more cheese if you love a gooey, cheesy texture. You can also try adding other types of cheese, like cheddar or provolone, for a different flavor profile.
- Spice it up: If you like a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Sautéed
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cheesy Penne Garlic Butter Ground Beef, Ground Beef Pasta, Penne Pasta Recipe, Garlic Butter Beef Pasta, Easy Pasta Dinner