Description
Savory cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef brings Italian comfort straight to your dinner table. Melted cheese, tender pasta, and seasoned beef create a hearty meal that satisfies hungry families with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Water for boiling
- Salt for pasta water
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Submerge penne pasta and cook until tender but firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature. Melt butter and introduce ground beef, systematically breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the meat transforms into a rich, golden brown color. Eliminate any excess fat if necessary.
- Relocate the beef to one side of the skillet. Add remaining butter, then incorporate minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant, roughly 2 minutes. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, blending thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper according to preference.
- Pour beef broth and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer and slightly thicken for 2-3 minutes. Gradually integrate Parmesan cheese, stirring until a smooth, creamy consistency develops.
- Introduce the cooked penne into the skillet. Gently fold the pasta through the sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Distribute mozzarella cheese evenly across the top of the pasta. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the decadent, garlicky dish.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian option.
- Reduce heavy cream by half and add Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce with fewer calories.
- Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent burning, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Use gluten-free penne for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the creamy, cheesy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg