Easy Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe
This Easy Creamy Beef Pasta brings together tender short pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, velvety cream-and-Parmesan sauce for a comforting meal that is simple enough for busy weeknights yet cozy enough for slow evenings at home.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup reserved hot pasta water, plus more as needed
- 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the hot pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.[attached_file:1]
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, then stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, and cook until the beef is fully browned. Spoon off excess fat if needed.[attached_file:1]
- Reduce the heat slightly and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine it with the beef mixture. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and let the sauce simmer gently for a minute or two.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.[attached_file:1]
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until every piece is coated in the creamy beef sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve hot with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley on top.
Notes
For extra richness, finish each serving with a drizzle of olive oil and a bit more freshly grated cheese. Leftovers reheat best with a splash of water, milk, or cream stirred in over low heat.