Description

A comforting and flavorful recipe for Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef, made with lean ground beef, pasta, and a creamy garlic butter sauce. Easy to make for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup beef broth
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly reduce.
6. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
7. Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the beef and sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
8. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta and beef mixture. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and gooey, or cover the skillet for a minute or two to help it melt.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Store any leftover Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you can do so gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Microwaving is also an option; cover the dish loosely to prevent splattering and heat in intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Avoid overheating, as this can make the pasta mushy and the sauce oily.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g