Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 for flavor with less grease)
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Build the Flavor Base: Add butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), paprika, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the spices bloom.
- Cook the Pasta: Pour in beef broth and stir to deglaze the pan. Add uncooked pasta, stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Make it Creamy and Cheesy: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Let rest off-heat for 3–5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta and serve hot with warm bread or a side salad.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- You can use any short pasta shape like penne, rotini, or fusilli for this recipe.
- This recipe is easily customizable — try adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meals
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
