Description
Savor pure comfort with this irresistible Garlic Butter Rigatoni featuring rich beef and melted cheese. Pasta perfection meets hearty satisfaction, inviting culinary adventurers to indulge in a soul-warming Italian-inspired classic you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Liquid and Seasoning Components:
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge rigatoni and cook until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain the pasta and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a substantial skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce diced onions, sautéing until translucent and softened, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, systematically breaking down the meat. Sear until achieving a rich, golden-brown appearance, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow aromatics to develop for an additional minute, then transfer beef mixture to a separate dish.
- Within the identical skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Introduce garlic, allowing it to release its fragrant essence for 1-2 minutes.
- Gently stream heavy cream and whole milk into the skillet. Simmer the liquid, permitting gradual thickening over 4-5 minutes.
- Gradually integrate mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring consistently until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency.
- Enhance sauce with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Adjust flavoring according to preference.
- Reunite rigatoni with the velvety cheese sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Delicately fold reserved beef mixture into the pasta, warming thoroughly.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley. Offer additional Parmesan on the side for enthusiasts.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and textural enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose thick, ridged rigatoni to help sauce cling better and create more delicious bites.
- Ensure ground beef is fully browned with crispy edges for maximum flavor development and texture contrast.
- Grate cheese fresh for smoother melting and more authentic creamy sauce consistency.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version or use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg