Description
A rich and comforting creamy beef pasta dish featuring tender penne pasta coated in a luscious Parmesan and cream sauce, infused with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning for robust flavor. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional
- 2 tsp olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Create Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until your desired sauce consistency is reached. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef pasta hot, optionally garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning flavor.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk and cream blend.
- Adding fresh parsley or basil as garnish adds a fresh touch.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust Italian seasoning quantity according to taste preference.
