Description
Indulge in this comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender rotini pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this creamy pasta recipe is family-approved and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Main Ingredients:
- 12 oz (about 4 cups) rotini pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For Seasoning:
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of spice)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside. - Cook the Beef:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles with a spoon. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside. - Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly (4–5 minutes). - Combine Everything:
Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. - Serve and Garnish:
Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. For an extra cheesy finish, sprinkle additional Parmesan on top.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based ground meat.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
- Add veggies like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or steamed broccoli for a nutritional boost.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Rotini pasta, beef recipes, garlic Parmesan sauce, creamy pasta