Description
This creamy beef pasta recipe combines tender ground beef with a rich, garlicky cream sauce and perfectly cooked fettuccine, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef or sirloin
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of your choice
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients. Chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves while you start boiling a pot of salted water for the pasta.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving some pasta water if needed.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Add Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break the meat up with a spatula and cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream, stir in the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Toss Everything Together: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss well to ensure the pasta is coated evenly. Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce, making it silky and rich. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor; pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as well.
- If you prefer, add a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of milk or cream to maintain creaminess.
