Description
This One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is a delicious and quick meal perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is browned and combined with aromatic garlic and onion, then simmered with Italian seasonings, pasta, and a creamy sauce made from beef broth and milk. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this comforting dish requires just one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Can be substituted with ground chicken or turkey)
Dairy & Butter
- 2 tbsp Butter (Enhances garlic flavor)
- 1 cup Milk (For a richer sauce, use heavy cream)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can make it dairy-free)
Produce & Herbs
- 4 cloves Garlic (Fresh garlic preferred)
- 1 medium Onion (Shallots can be used for a milder flavor)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (Fresh basil can be a substitute)
Seasonings & Spices
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning (Fresh herbs can be substitutes)
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Adjust based on spice preference)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Liquids & Broth
- 2 cups Beef Broth (Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian version)
Pasta
- 8 oz Uncooked Pasta (Penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, for about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Sauté Garlic & Onion: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add butter to the empty side, melting it down. Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant and softened, approximately 2 minutes. Next, stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to infuse the mixture with warm, savory flavors.
- Add Liquid & Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir in the uncooked pasta, ensuring it’s well-submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed flavors.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasonings: Once the pasta is cooked through, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese along with salt and black pepper. Mix well until the sauce becomes creamy and evenly coats every piece of pasta.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove from heat and sprinkle the dish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for garnish. Serve hot alongside your favorite garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- Use vegetable broth and nutritional yeast instead of beef broth and Parmesan to make this dish vegetarian or dairy-free.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh herbs like basil can be used instead of parsley for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, replace milk with heavy cream.
- Make sure to stir occasionally while simmering pasta to prevent it from sticking to the skillet.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
