Are you craving a mouthwatering dish that combines the rich, hearty flavors of ground beef with the luxurious creaminess of a perfectly crafted sauce? Look no further! This Creamy Beef and Pasta recipe is about to become your new go-to meal that will have everyone at the dinner table begging for seconds. In just 30 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy Italian-inspired feast that's both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to make.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the 8 oz of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 lb of ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Once the beef is cooked, reduce the heat to low and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir to combine the beef and cream, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for a couple of minutes.
- Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Season the creamy beef mixture with 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings into the sauce.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it directly to the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce until it is evenly coated.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for a minute to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the creamy beef and pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!
Tips
- For the most flavorful results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged grated cheese. The texture and taste are significantly better.
- Don't overcook the pasta - aim for al dente to ensure it maintains a slight bite and doesn't become mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- Save a cup of pasta water before draining. The starchy water can help you adjust the sauce consistency if needed and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Use a high-quality ground beef with a moderate fat content (80/20 works best) for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- If you want to add extra depth to the dish, consider sautéing some minced garlic or diced onions before adding the ground beef.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Let the dish rest for a minute after cooking to allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to slightly thicken.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 666kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 33g
Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Cholesterol: 150mg
