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–+ servings
Creamy beef pasta dish with beef, cream sauce, and herbs served in a bowl.

Creamy Beef Pasta

A comforting, one-pan creamy beef pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights, featuring penne pasta, heavy cream, and rich Parmesan.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Beef Ingredients
  • 8 oz penne pasta Can be substituted with rigatoni, ziti, or fusilli
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) For a leaner version, ground turkey can be used
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter version, use half-and-half with a tablespoon of cornstarch
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced Add for sweetness and depth of flavor
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated melts best
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp olive oil for sautéing

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  3. Drain the pasta.
Making the Sauce
  1. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it into pieces with a spatula and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
  6. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired sauce consistency, starting with 1/4 cup.
  7. Turn off heat and stir in the grated Parmesan until melted into a smooth sauce.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Add cooked penne to the skillet and toss gently until every piece is coated in the creamy beef sauce.
  2. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of liquid if necessary. For variety, try adding sautéed vegetables or spices.

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