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Creamy beef pasta dish served in a bowl with herbs and garnish

Creamy Beef Pasta

A quick one-pan creamy pasta dish with lean ground beef, perfect for a family dinner.
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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: 640
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz penne pasta or any pasta shape you prefer
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp olive oil for sautéing

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
Sautéing
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Cooking the Beef
  1. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart as it cooks until browned, about 7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Making the Sauce
  1. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Gradually add the reserved pasta water until desired sauce consistency is reached.
  2. Mix in the grated Parmesan until melted.
Combining
  1. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce in the skillet, tossing gently to coat.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Tips: Add veggies like spinach or mushrooms, use pre-cooked beef for quicker prep, substitute with gluten-free pasta, and experiment with different cheeses for extra flavor.