One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta

Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Cuisine: American Comfort
• Category: Main Course, One-Pot
• Keywords: Creamy Garlic Pasta, Ground Beef Pasta, One-Pot Recipe, deesviral
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and butter; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef evenly.
4. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta well. Let simmer uncovered for 2–3 more minutes to thicken.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on the side.

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

• Sauce too thin? Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce. Stir often to avoid sticking.
• Too thick? Add a splash of warm beef broth or cream to loosen the sauce to your liking.
• Pasta undercooked? Add an extra 1/4 cup of broth and simmer another 2–3 minutes.
• Not creamy enough? Add more Parmesan or an extra tablespoon of butter at the end.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or microwave with a splash of cream or broth.
• Freezer: Not ideal for freezing due to the cream, but possible. Reheat gently and stir in extra cream to restore texture.
• Make-Ahead: You can pre-cook the beef mixture and refrigerate it. Add broth and pasta when ready to cook the full dish.

Why This Recipe Works

One-pot meals are all about ease, and this one brings serious flavor with pantry staples. The garlic butter base elevates the beef, while simmering the pasta in broth infuses every bite with savory depth. Heavy cream and Parmesan create a silky finish. Like every dish from deesviral, this recipe hits that perfect balance of comfort and simplicity.

Expert Tips

• Use rotini, penne, or shells for best texture—they hold sauce beautifully.
• Grate Parmesan fresh for the smoothest melt—pre-shredded often clumps.
• Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding broth for extra flavor.
• Add baby spinach or peas at the end for a pop of color and nutrition.
• Serve with garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal.