Description
A comforting and indulgent creamy beef pasta dish that is fast to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners, meal-prep lunches, and family-friendly meals.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds more until fragrant.
- Push the onion to the side and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until evenly browned, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning while the beef is cooking.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Stir to combine and let it warm gently — do not boil. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan until it melts and the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss until every piece is coated in sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor. For lower fat, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but expect a thinner sauce. Gluten-free penne works fine if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian