Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef Recipe
This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is a comforting and delicious pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked penne tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce with savory ground beef. Infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, this recipe offers rich flavors and a satisfying texture, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Season Beef: Season the browned beef with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Add Liquids: Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and allow the sauce to begin to simmer and thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Add Parmesan: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it creamy and thick.
- Melt Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add color and a fresh note to the rich pasta.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your taste.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Drain excess grease from the beef to avoid a greasy sauce.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free penne pasta.
Keywords: cheesy penne pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy penne, garlic butter beef pasta, Italian pasta recipe, penne with cheese sauce
