One-Pot Creamy Beef And Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

Irresistible One-Pot Creamy Beef And Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering one-pot creamy beef and garlic butter pasta that promises to simplify your dinner routine.

Pasta lovers will adore how quickly this dish comes together with minimal cleanup.

Savory beef and rich, velvety sauce create a perfect harmony of flavors in every single bite.

We blend simple ingredients to craft a meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Tender pasta threads intertwine with seasoned beef, creating a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.

No complicated techniques or endless dishes stand between you and a delectable dinner.

Grab a skillet and let’s make magic happen – this recipe will become your new weeknight champion.

Why Fans Love This One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta So Much

  • Simplify Dinner Prep: Tackle this one-pot wonder that eliminates multiple pans and reduces cleanup, giving you more time to enjoy your meal with family.
  • Cook with Confidence: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe requires minimal cooking techniques and delivers restaurant-quality results without complicated steps.
  • Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Combines kid-approved ingredients like ground beef and pasta with creamy, rich sauce that satisfies both children and adults, making mealtime a stress-free experience.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Adaptable recipe allows easy ingredient swaps like using different cheese types or adding extra vegetables, ensuring you can personalize the dish to match your taste preferences.

Simple Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

For the Base:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the dish.
  • Pasta: A comforting carbohydrate that absorbs the creamy sauce and creates a satisfying meal.
For the Aromatics:
  • Garlic, Onion: Aromatic ingredients that build a deep, savory foundation for the pasta sauce.
For the Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds complexity and traditional Italian taste to the dish.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the overall flavor profile.
  • Parmesan Cheese: A salty, umami-rich cheese that creates a luxurious and creamy texture.
For the Liquids and Binding Agents:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.
  • Beef Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the cooking process.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, silky sauce that coats the pasta and beef.
For the Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal note to the finished dish.

Easy Way to Cook Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta at Home

Easy Way to Cook Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta at Home

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat a large pot and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in ground beef and cook until it turns a rich golden brown, crumbling the meat with a spatula as it sizzles.

Step 2: Develop Flavor Base

Sprinkle in minced garlic and chopped onion, letting them dance in the pot until they release their aromatic magic and become wonderfully soft.

Step 3: Layer Seasonings

Shake in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat the meat with a blanket of delicious spices.

Step 4: Create Savory Liquid

Pour beef broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly, reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

Introduce heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety blanket that hugs the meat.

Step 6: Cook Pasta Directly

Slide uncooked pasta into the pot, ensuring it’s completely submerged in the creamy sauce.

If needed, splash in extra water or broth. Cover and let the pasta cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Finish and Plate

Remove from heat when pasta reaches perfect tenderness. Scatter fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve immediately while the dish is steaming hot.

Things to Know Before Making Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

  • Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pot to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust on the ground beef, which adds deep, rich flavor to the dish.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining, as its starchy consistency can help create a smoother, more luxurious sauce if the mixture becomes too thick.
  • Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor and smoother melting, preventing clumping and ensuring an even, creamy texture throughout the pasta.
  • Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carbohydrate version that maintains the delicious creamy beef essence.

Fresh Ideas to Tweak Your Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

  • Spicy Southwest Beef Pasta: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chilies, and top with shredded pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Beef Pasta: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and dried oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
  • Mushroom Swiss Beef Pasta: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the beef, swap Parmesan for Swiss cheese, and add a splash of white wine for depth.
  • Bacon Ranch Beef Pasta: Crisp chopped bacon during beef cooking, mix in ranch seasoning, and garnish with green onions for a rich, tangy version.

Great Pairings with Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

  • Robust Red Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, meaty flavors with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that can stand up to the creamy beef pasta's intensity.
  • Crisp Salad Side Kick: Balance the dish's heaviness with a light, tangy arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess and add freshness.
  • Garlic Bread Crunch: Serve alongside crusty garlic bread to soak up the luxurious sauce and provide a contrasting crispy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
  • Zesty Herb Sprinkle: Top with extra fresh parsley or chives to brighten the dish and add a burst of green, herbal notes that lift the rich, creamy flavors.

Smart Storage Tips for Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the pasta remains fresh and safe to eat.
  • Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent dryness. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little broth or cream to restore moisture. Stir constantly to prevent sticking and distribute heat evenly, bringing the dish back to its original creamy consistency.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute with similar short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or shells. Just ensure cooking times remain consistent with the recipe.

  • Is it possible to make this dish less creamy?

Reduce the heavy cream amount or replace half with milk for a lighter sauce. The Parmesan cheese will still provide richness.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your beef broth is gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

  • How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Stir in some frozen peas, spinach, or diced bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and color.

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One-Pot Creamy Beef And Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

One-Pot Creamy Beef And Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe


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4.8 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible one-pot creamy beef and garlic butter pasta, where rich flavors meld seamlessly in a single skillet. Hearty beef, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta combine to deliver a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb ground beef

Pasta and Dairy:

  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or spaghetti)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté ground beef until it achieves a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 5-7 minutes, using a spatula to crumble the meat evenly.
  2. Introduce minced garlic and diced onions to the browned beef, allowing them to release their aromatic essence and soften for 2 minutes.
  3. Enhance the meat’s flavor profile by incorporating Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to distribute the spices thoroughly.
  4. Stream beef broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer and allowing it to reduce for 5 minutes, concentrating the savory flavors.
  5. Introduce heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency, which typically takes 3-4 minutes.
  6. Nestle uncooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage. If the liquid seems insufficient, supplement with additional water or broth. Secure the pot with a lid and cook pasta according to package guidance, typically 8-10 minutes, intermittently stirring to prevent sticking.
  7. Once pasta reaches perfect tenderness and sauce achieves a creamy consistency, remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Swap lean ground beef for turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
  • Adjust pasta cooking liquid carefully to prevent dry or overly soupy results, adding small amounts of broth incrementally.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by toasting Italian seasoning briefly in butter before adding beef for deeper aromatic notes.
  • For gluten-sensitive diets, replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta to maintain creamy texture and nutritional balance.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 730 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 49 g
  • Saturated Fat: 24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Nate Harper

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.


Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

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