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Creamy beef pasta dish with rich sauce and fresh herbs

Creamy Beef Pasta

A delightful dish that combines tender penne pasta with rich ground beef and a velvety cream sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Base
  • 8 oz penne pasta Cook according to package instructions.
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Use lean beef for a healthier option.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Provides a rich creaminess.
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning For added flavor.
  • 2 tsp olive oil For sautéing.
Aromatics and Seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced For flavor enhancement.
  • 1 medium onion, diced Adds sweetness and depth.
  • Salt to taste Salt To season the dish.
  • Pepper to taste Pepper To season the dish.
Garnish
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese For mixing into the sauce and garnishing.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Sautéing Aromatics
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant (about 5 minutes).
Cooking Beef
  1. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned (about 7 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Making the Sauce
  1. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired sauce consistency is reached. Mix in grated Parmesan until melted.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Combine 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

Feel free to adapt and customize by adding fresh vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition.