Creamy Beef Pasta

Creamy Beef Pasta

If you need a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that doesn't require hours in the kitchen, this creamy beef pasta is exactly what you're looking for. It combines perfectly cooked penne, seasoned ground beef, and a ridiculously rich, cheesy sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• Pasta: 10 oz (approx. 300g) penne pasta (or your favorite short pasta shape)

• Beef: 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef

• Aromatics: 1 small yellow onion (finely diced) and 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• Seasonings: 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

• The Sauce: 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara, 1 cup heavy cream, and 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

• Garnish: A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package instructions until it's just al dente (it will cook a little more in the sauce later). Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until the beef is beautifully browned and the onions are soft (about 5-6 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.

3. Add the Aromatics & Spices: Turn the heat down to medium. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until you can really smell that garlic.

4. Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream, stirring everything together until well combined. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer for 3-4 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.

5. Make it Cheesy: Turn the heat down to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese a little at a time until it is completely melted, smooth, and velvety.

6. Toss and Serve: Dump the drained penne right into the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss it all together for a minute or two until every single piece of pasta is gloriously coated.

Divide the pasta into bowls, top generously with the fresh chopped parsley, and enjoy hot!