Print

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef | Quick & Delicious

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A rich and satisfying pasta dish, Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef blends tender penne with savory ground beef, garlic butter, and a luscious cream sauce finished with melty mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for weeknight comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions or until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add a little more butter if needed. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.

4. Add the heavy cream and beef broth to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.

5. Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and mix with the creamy sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.

6. Transfer to serving dishes, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Avoid Overcooking the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so sauté it just until fragrant.

Use Full-Fat Dairy: Full-fat heavy cream makes the creamiest sauce.

Adjust the Consistency: Add pasta water if the sauce thickens too much.

Don’t Skip the Parsley: Adds a fresh note and visual appeal.

Optional Add-ins: Try mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for variation.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/cheesy-penne-with-garlic-butter-ground-beef/