One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta
A comforting, creamy pasta dish made with savory ground beef, garlic, and tender pasta, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef Use 80/20 or 85/15 for best flavor.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic is preferred.
- ½ tsp salt Adjust to taste.
- ½ tsp black pepper Adjust to taste.
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes Optional, for heat.
- 3 cups beef broth Use low-sodium for better control on salt.
- 2 cups milk or heavy cream Heavy cream makes it richer.
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine) Choose preferred pasta shape.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese Freshly grated preferred.
- 2 tbsp butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, for 5–6 minutes until the meat is evenly browned.
- Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 1 minute.
Cooking
- Add 3 cups beef broth and 2 cups milk (or cream) to the skillet, scraping any browned bits from the bottom into the liquid.
- Add 12 ounces pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, pressing the pasta down so it is mostly submerged.
- Bring the pot to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons butter until melted.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For best flavor, let the pasta rest off the heat for a minute before serving. Can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.