Description
Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef—savory, creamy, irresistible comfort food perfect for easy weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Make the garlic butter base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Build the sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in the heavy cream and beef broth, whisking to combine. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss until evenly combined.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic & butter for rich, deep flavor.
- Mix cheddar & mozzarella for the best creamy texture.
- Cook penne al dente to keep it from getting mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the total recipe
- Calories: 580-620 kcal
- Sugar: 3-5 g
- Sodium: 500-600 mg
- Fat: 30-35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15-18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10-12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50-55 g
- Fiber: 2-3 g
- Protein: 25-30 g
- Cholesterol: 85-95 mg