Creamy Beef Pasta
A quick, comforting one-pan creamy beef pasta made with ground beef, pasta, and a velvety cream sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, this family favorite is flexible, rich, and kid-approved.
Cost: $11
🍳 Equipment
- 1 Large deep skillet (With lid, to cook pasta and sauce together)
- 1 Wooden spoon (For breaking up beef and stirring sauce)
- 1 Chef's knife (For chopping onion and garlic)
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons (For liquids and seasonings)
- 1 Cheese grater (For parmesan)
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef - Lean preferred
- 8 oz pasta (penne or similar) - Uncooked
- 1 cup beef broth - Adds depth and flavor
- 1 cup heavy cream - Substitute with half-and-half if needed
- 4 oz cream cheese - Softened, cut into cubes
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese - Freshly grated preferred
- 2 tablespoon butter - Unsalted
- 3 cloves garlic - Minced
- ½ cup onion - Diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Or mix of basil, oregano, thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt - To taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper - To taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - Optional, for mild heat
- Fresh parsley - For garnish
📋 Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (6–8 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Remove beef to a plate. Melt butter in the same skillet, add diced onion, and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in beef broth and add uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is almost tender. Add more broth if needed.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, and parmesan until melted and smooth. The sauce should thicken and coat the pasta.
- Return cooked beef to the skillet. Stir until pasta and sauce are evenly mixed. Adjust thickness with a splash of cream or broth if necessary.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or parmesan. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
📝 Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.
🥗 Nutrition
Serving: 350g | Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 3mg