Description
A rich and creamy cheesy penne pasta dish featuring savory garlic butter ground beef, combined with a creamy Parmesan and mozzarella cheese sauce. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal, this one-pan recipe blends Italian seasoning with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, making it a delicious family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Beef and Seasoning
- 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)
Sauce 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 Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Season Beef: Season the cooked ground beef with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Add Liquids: Reduce the heat to medium and pour in beef broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine the mixture well, allowing it to heat through and start thickening.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Melt Parmesan: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to cook and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the cheese to melt for a few minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use whole wheat penne pasta for a healthier alternative.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated packaged cheese.
- Covering the skillet to melt the mozzarella cheese ensures a gooey, melty topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: cheesy penne pasta, garlic butter ground beef, creamy pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta dish
