Description
Creamy Beef Pasta is a comforting, one-pan dinner featuring tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce. It’s quick, filling, and perfect for chilly nights or easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (or 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add beef broth and let simmer for 2–3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Let sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated and heated through.
- Top with Parmesan and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or sausage for variation.
- Stir in spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for heat.
- To make dairy-free, use plant-based cream and skip cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
