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Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe Easy One Pot Dinner for Families

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This creamy beef pasta is a quick, hearty, and family-friendly one-pot dinner packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a velvety sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and endlessly customizable to suit your family’s tastes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (preferably lean, 90/10)
  • 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, shells, or elbows; whole wheat or gluten-free as desired)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half/evaporated milk for lighter version)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (or Greek yogurt/cottage cheese blended smooth for extra protein)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Romano/nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried basil, oregano, and thyme mix)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)
  • Chopped parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and tomato paste darkens slightly.
  3. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the short pasta and stir to coat in the beefy juices.
  4. Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a steady simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just tender and most liquid is absorbed (10-12 minutes). Add more broth or water if needed.
  5. Lower the heat. Add heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth and velvety.
  6. Add grated Parmesan and mix until the sauce is glossy.
  7. If using, stir in frozen peas or spinach and cook until peas are heated through and spinach wilts (about 2 minutes).
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or chives and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Start checking pasta for doneness early, as different shapes and brands cook at different rates. Adjust sauce thickness at the end with extra broth or milk if needed. This recipe is highly adaptable—swap in different proteins, veggies, or pasta shapes as desired. Leftovers thicken as they sit; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, one pot dinner, easy pasta recipe, family dinner, ground beef pasta, comfort food, quick weeknight meal, protein pasta, skillet pasta, kid friendly dinner

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/creamy-beef-pasta-recipe-easy-one-pot-dinner-for-families/