Description
This Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef is a rich and comforting dish that combines perfectly cooked linguine with a creamy garlic butter sauce, savory browned ground beef, and a blend of melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Finished with a touch of fresh parsley, it’s a quick 30-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave indulgent pasta goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine pasta
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside for later use.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt Butter: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat to retain flavor and scrape up any browned bits left from the beef.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic to keep its flavor bright.
- Simmer Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes while stirring occasionally to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Gradually add the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses, stirring constantly until the cheeses melt smoothly into the creamy sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, adjusting to your preference.
- Toss Pasta and Beef: Add the drained linguine and cooked ground beef back into the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta and beef are evenly coated with the creamy cheese sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best cheesy flavor and smooth melting.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much when combined with the pasta.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic to prevent bitterness in your sauce.
