Description
This Creamy Garlic Beef Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender ground beef with a rich, creamy garlic sauce. Perfectly cooked penne or fettuccine pasta is tossed in a luscious blend of beef broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan, seasoned with Italian herbs and a hint of spice. A quick and satisfying stovetop meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
Seasonings and Spices
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until evenly browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release the aroma.
- Season the mixture: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Make the sauce base: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir thoroughly to coat, cooking for about a minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add liquids and simmer: Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Then add the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate cheeses: Add the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until both cheeses melt completely and the sauce turns thick, creamy, and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles in the creamy sauce. Cook together for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve the creamy garlic beef pasta hot.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter variation.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach for extra texture and nutrition.
