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Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef: Comfort in Every Bite

A deliciously satisfying dish featuring cheesy penne pasta and garlic butter ground beef, perfect for dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Penne Pasta Substitute with rigatoni for variety.
For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter dish.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can use vegetable oil if needed.
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced or powdered for convenience.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust according to taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper Omit for a milder flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Leave out for a milder taste.
For the Creamy Sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Substitute with half-and-half for a lighter touch.
  • 1 cup Beef Broth Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Substitute for Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Provolone works as a great substitute.
For Garnish
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley Optional but highly recommended.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • Spatula

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
  3. Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and season the cooked ground beef with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the creamy sauce. Stir gently for about 2 minutes.
  7. Gradually sprinkle in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it melts into the sauce.
  8. Distribute 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the skillet and let it sit on low heat for about 5 minutes.
  9. Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Store leftover Cheesy Penne in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months.

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