Description
A rich and comforting creamy ground beef pasta cooked entirely on the stovetop, featuring tender pasta simmered in a savory beef and cream sauce, finished with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese for a deliciously hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- chopped parsley for garnish
Pantry Items
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and liquids: Stir in tomato paste until fully incorporated with the beef and aromatics. Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine evenly.
- Cook the pasta: Add the dry pasta to the skillet and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Finish with cheese and garnish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella (if using) until melted and the sauce is creamy. Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra veggies, add spinach or mushrooms during the sautéing step.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers.
