Description
This creamy beef pasta is a rich and comforting American main course featuring tender pasta coated in a luscious cheese and cream sauce with seasoned ground beef. It’s a perfect easy weeknight dinner that combines hearty flavors of tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and savory cheeses for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Meat
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Vegetables and Season: Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Broth: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat, then stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy beef sauce.
- Finish with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top and allow it to melt before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- This dish reheats well and is great for meal prepping in advance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
