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Delicious creamy beef pasta served in a bowl with fresh herbs

Creamy Beef Pasta

A comforting weeknight pasta dish that's rich, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights or meal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and meat
  • 8 oz penne pasta Use a good-quality durum wheat penne for firm texture.
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Choose 85–90% lean for a balance of flavor and grease.
Creamy sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream Look for full-fat cream for best consistency.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated for the best texture and flavor.
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp olive oil For sautéing.
Aromatics
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the penne until al dente in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Reduce heat to low, pour in the heavy cream, and stir to combine. Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted.
  3. Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing to coat each piece with the sauce. Adjust with reserved pasta water as needed.
  4. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired, and adjust seasoning to taste.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge. Freezing is recommended for sauces and pastas separately for best texture. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.