Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef Recipe
A rich and creamy cheesy penne pasta dish loaded with flavorful garlic butter ground beef, Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese. This comforting skillet meal combines tender pasta with a savory, cheesy sauce perfect for a hearty dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquids and Cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside for later use.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it.
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef to the skillet with garlic. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed to prevent greasiness.
- Season beef: Stir in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to season the cooked beef evenly.
- Add liquids: Reduce heat to medium and pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine and create a creamy sauce base.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and stir thoroughly so that every piece is coated with the sauce.
- Melt Parmesan cheese: Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese while stirring to allow it to melt and thicken the sauce to a creamy consistency.
- Add mozzarella and melt: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes, allowing the mozzarella to melt into a gooey layer.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a touch of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, do not omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half to reduce calories, though the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: cheesy penne, garlic butter ground beef, creamy pasta, Italian skillet meal, Parmesan cheese pasta, mozzarella pasta, comfort food, easy dinner
