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Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe – Easy Protein-Packed Dinner Idea

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This creamy beef pasta features tender ground beef, a velvety sauce made with cream cheese and heavy cream, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a quick, hearty, and comforting dinner that comes together in under 35 minutes—ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a protein-packed meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta (or rotini, fusilli, or any short pasta)
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean preferred)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (10-12 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set pasta aside.
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned (5-7 minutes). Move beef to one side of the pan.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the empty side of the pan. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  4. Mix beef, onion, and garlic together. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and black pepper. Cook for another minute.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth. Stir well; sauce will look runny at first.
  6. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta.
  7. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Sauce will thicken and become glossy. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently until pasta is evenly coated. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water.
  9. Turn off heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  10. Serve immediately for best texture. For a baked version, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with mozzarella, and broil for 3-4 minutes.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF pasta and check beef broth. Brown beef well for flavor. Use reserved pasta water to help sauce emulsify. Don’t overheat cream to avoid separation. Freshly grated Parmesan melts best. Add veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, easy dinner, protein-packed, comfort food, weeknight meal, ground beef pasta, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/creamy-beef-pasta-recipe-easy-protein-packed-dinner-idea/