The Ultimate Creamy Beef Pasta for Cozy Nights You'll Crave (Print Version)
How to make creamy beef pasta with tender ground beef and a rich tomato cream sauce that your family will absolutely love for cozy nights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Standard
# Ingredients:
→ Base Components
01 -
1 pound (450g) penne pasta
02 -
1.5 pounds lean ground beef
03 -
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
04 -
1 cup heavy cream
05 -
1 cup beef broth
06 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
→ Flavor Builders
07 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
10 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
11 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Seasonings & Spices
12 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
13 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
14 -
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
→ Finishing Touch
15 -
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic for one minute until fragrant.
02 -
Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits.
03 -
Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 10 minutes, allowing flavors to deepen. Stir in the heavy cream and half of the grated Parmesan until well combined. This makes our Creamy Beef Pasta truly special.
04 -
While the sauce simmers, cook the penne pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water just in case.
05 -
Add the drained cooked pasta directly to the simmering creamy beef sauce in the skillet. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the rich, flavorful sauce. This is the heart of our Creamy Beef Pasta.
06 -
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve your ultimate Creamy Beef Pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for a cozy meal.
# Notes:
01 -
Don't rush the sauce simmer; at least 10 minutes allows flavors to fully deepen for the ultimate creamy beef pasta.
02 -
Store leftover pasta promptly in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days for freshness.
03 -
Easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular penne with your favorite gluten-free pasta variety.
04 -
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread.
05 -
Make the sauce ahead and refrigerate for 2-3 days, then add freshly cooked pasta just before serving.
06 -
Bloom tomato paste and Italian seasoning for one minute before adding liquids to intensify the sauce's flavor.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
large skillet
02 -
large pot
03 -
measuring cups
04 -
measuring spoons
05 -
knife
06 -
cutting board
07 -
spatula
08 -
bowls
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 770
Total Fat: 36g
Total Carbohydrate: 58g
Protein: 44g