Description
Savory cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef delivers comfort on a plate, blending rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Creamy pasta and seasoned beef create a quick, satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook penne pasta until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature. Melt butter and introduce ground beef, carefully fragmenting the meat while cooking until it achieves a rich, golden-brown color. Eliminate any excess fat if necessary.
- Relocate the browned beef to one side of the skillet. Add remaining butter, then incorporate minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until aromatic and translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the mixture.
- Pour beef broth and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce, thickening for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold the cooked penne into the skillet, thoroughly coating each pasta piece with the garlic butter beef sauce.
- Distribute mozzarella cheese across the top of the dish. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed, helping create a silkier, more cohesive dish.
- Swap penne for zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to make the recipe keto-friendly and reduce overall carbohydrate content.
- Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a creamy, lactose-free version that maintains rich flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to personal heat preference, or omit entirely for a milder taste that suits more sensitive palates.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 675 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg