Description
Creamy garlic beef pasta promises a luxurious Italian-inspired dinner that combines rich flavors with comforting textures. Hearty beef, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta invite you to savor each delectable bite of this easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound diced lean beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta by boiling in salted water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef into the skillet, breaking into small crumbles. Cook for 5-7 minutes until meat browns completely and loses its raw appearance.
- Sprinkle paprika, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Pour beef broth and heavy cream, allowing ingredients to integrate and create a rich base.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer sauce for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces and thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the sauce, ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly coated with the savory cream sauce.
- Remove skillet from heat. Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts smoothly and blends completely with the sauce.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant, herbaceous garnish before serving hot.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is perfectly al dente by checking package instructions and tasting a shell before draining to prevent mushy texture.
- Use high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for richer flavor and more tender meat that doesn’t dry out during cooking.
- Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk and using dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for creamy consistency.
- Elevate dish’s depth by deglazing pan with splash of white wine after cooking beef, which adds complex flavor layers and helps lift browned bits from skillet bottom.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 568 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg