Description
A quick and satisfying creamy beef pasta dish that combines sautéed onions, garlic, and ground beef with a luxurious Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (about 225 g) penne pasta
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup (about 100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Set pasta aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tsp olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and slightly translucent, about 4–5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and 2 tsp Italian seasoning while the beef cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss gently to coat each piece in sauce. Heat through for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half. This dish is perfect for quick weeknight meals and can be easily adapted with vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 756
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 60mg