Name: Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe- Quick & Delicious Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces penne pasta; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 cup heavy cream; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 teaspoons olive oil

Creamy Beef Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug on a plate, a symphony of comforting flavors that instantly makes any evening feel special. We all have those go-to dishes that bring a sense of pure satisfaction, and this particular recipe for Creamy Beef Pasta has earned its spot at the top of countless home cooks’ lists. What is it about this dish that captures our hearts and taste buds? It’s the perfect marriage of tender, savory ground beef, enveloped in a lusciously smooth, rich sauce, all clingin extractg to perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the kind of meal that feels both indulgent and approachable, perfect for a weeknight treat or a relaxed weekend dinner with loved ones. Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make culinary delight.

Ingredients:

8 ounces penne pasta
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup heavy cream
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil

Preparing the Pasta

Let’s start by getting our pasta ready. This is the foundation of our delicious Creamy Beef Pasta. In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a rolling boil. Don’t be shy with the water; pasta needs room to move around so it doesn’t stick together. Add a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water. This is crucial for flavoring the pasta from the inside out. Once the water is vigorously boiling, carefully add the 8 ounces of penne pasta. Stir the pasta immediately to prevent it from clumping. Cook according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. This means it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta can become mushy, and we definitely don’t want that in our creamy dish. Once cooked to perfection, drain the pasta using a colander, but here’s a little trick: reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water. This water is liquid gold and will help us create a beautifully emulsified and silky sauce later on.

Searing the Beef and Aromatics

Now, let’s move on to the star of the show – the beef! Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the 1 pound of lean ground beef. Break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks, ensuring that all sides get a good sear. We want to get some nice browning on the beef, as this develops fantastic flavor. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, which usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet; we’re aiming for a rich sauce, not a greasy one. Once the beef is browned and drained, push it to one side of the skillet. Add the 1 medium diced onion to the empty side of the skillet. Sauté the onion for about 3-5 minutes until it becomes softened and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma. Then, add the 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can turn bitter. Stir the onions and garlic into the ground beef, combining them well.

Building the Creamy Sauce

This is where our Creamy Beef Pasta really starts to come to life. With the beef, onions, and garlic nicely combined in the skillet, it’s time to introduce the creamy elements. Sprinkle the 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning over the beef mixture. This blend of herbs, typically including oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, will infuse our sauce with classic Italian flavors. Stir everything together, allowing the herbs to toast slightly in the residual heat, which intensifies their aroma. Next, pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir it into the beef mixture, ensuring it coats everything evenly. The cream will begin extract to thicken as it heats. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste at this stage. Remember, it’s easier to add more seasoning than to take it away, so taste as you go. Allow the sauce to simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gentle simmering allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to achieve a beautiful, velvety consistency.

Combining and Finishing the Dish

We’re almost there! The rich, savory sauce is ready, and our pasta is drained. Now, it’s time to bring them together. Add the drained penne pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated in the luscious sauce. If the sauce seems a little too thick at this point, don’t worry! This is where that reserved pasta water comes in handy. Add a tablespoon or two of the starchy pasta water at a time, stirring until you reach your desired sauce consistency. The starch in the water will help to emulsify the sauce and make it even smoother. Continue to stir and heat through for another 1-2 minutes, just to ensure the pasta is fully warmed and has absorbed some of the sauce’s delicious flavor.

Adding the Parmesan and Serving

The final flourish for our Creamy Beef Pasta! Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. The residual heat from the pasta and sauce will melt the cheese beautifully, adding a salty, nutty depth to the dish. Stir the Parmesan cheese in until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce becomes even more luscious and wonderfully cheesy. Give it one final taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Serve your Creamy Beef Pasta immediately in warm bowls. You can garnish with a little extra grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you have some on hand for a pop of color. This dish is hearty, comforting, and sure to become a favorite!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – a delightful and satisfying plate of Creamy Beef Pasta! We hope you enjoyed making and devouring this comforting dish. The richness of the beef, combined with the velvety sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, makes for a truly memorable meal. This Creamy Beef Pasta is wonderful served hot, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a side of crusty bread for soaking up any extra sauce. Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes – penne, fusilli, or even rigatoni work beautifully. You could also add some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for an extra burst of flavor and nutrients. Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your personal preference. We encourage you to make this Creamy Beef Pasta your own and enjoy the process of cooking something delicious for yourself and your loved ones!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Creamy Beef Pasta ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! The Creamy Beef Pasta can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.

What kind of beef is best for Creamy Beef Pasta?

For the best results in your Creamy Beef Pasta, lean ground beef (85-90% lean) is recommended. This provides a good balance of flavor and texture without being overly greasy.

Can I make this Creamy Beef Pasta vegetarian?

While this recipe is designed for beef, you can create a delicious vegetarian version of Creamy Beef Pasta by substituting the ground beef with plant-based crum extractbles or a mix of hearty vegetables like mushrooms, lentils, and bell peppers. You’ll want to adjust the cooking time accordingly for these substitutions.