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Creamy beef pasta with rigatoni, ground beef, and parmesan cheese, topped with fresh parsley in a brown bowl.

Creamy Beef Pasta

5 from 1 vote
A quick, comforting one-pan creamy beef pasta made with ground beef, pasta, and a velvety cream sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, this family favorite is flexible, rich, and kid-approved.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting/Adjusting Sauce 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 5
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef - Lean preferred
  • 8 oz pasta (penne or similar) - Uncooked
  • 1 cup beef broth - Adds depth and flavor
  • 1 cup heavy cream - Substitute with half-and-half if needed
  • 4 oz cream cheese - Softened, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese - Freshly grated preferred
  • 2 tablespoon butter - Unsalted
  • 3 cloves garlic - Minced
  • ½ cup onion - Diced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Or mix of basil, oregano, thyme
  • ½ teaspoon salt - To taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper - To taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - Optional, for mild heat
  • Fresh parsley - For garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large deep skillet (With lid, to cook pasta and sauce together)
  • 1 Wooden spoon (For breaking up beef and stirring sauce)
  • 1 Chef's knife (For chopping onion and garlic)
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons (For liquids and seasonings)
  • 1 Cheese grater (For parmesan)

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (6–8 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Remove beef to a plate. Melt butter in the same skillet, add diced onion, and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
  3. Pour in beef broth and add uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is almost tender. Add more broth if needed.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, and parmesan until melted and smooth. The sauce should thicken and coat the pasta.
  5. Return cooked beef to the skillet. Stir until pasta and sauce are evenly mixed. Adjust thickness with a splash of cream or broth if necessary.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or parmesan. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Nutrition

Serving: 350gCalories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 28gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

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