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Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground BeefIngredients Recipe

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground BeefIngredients Recipe
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This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is the perfect comfort food meal—creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavor. Al dente penne is tossed with a rich garlic butter and ground beef sauce, then smothered with mozzarella and Parmesan for the ultimate weeknight pasta dish the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne pasta

Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

To Finish

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and break it up using a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until fully browned and no longer pink.
  3. Add Garlic and Seasonings: Add minced garlic to the browned beef, stirring and cooking for 1-2 minutes to release the fragrance. Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine and let cook for another minute to toast the spices.
  4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet, stirring until completely melted into the beef mixture.
  5. Create the Creamy Cheese Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring well to incorporate. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Add the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.
  6. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet, stirring gently to coat each piece in the cheesy beef sauce.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top, garnish with extra Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Try swapping in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or swap in pecorino for Parmesan.
  • This dish reheats well—store leftovers covered in the fridge and add a splash of cream or milk when reheating.
  • Use a block of mozzarella and shred it yourself for maximum meltiness.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes are optional—reduce the amount if you want a milder dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy pasta, ground beef penne, garlic butter, pasta dinner, comfort food, weeknight dinner, mozzarella, Parmesan

Find it online: https://topreci.com/cheesy-penne-with-garlic-butter-ground-beefingredients-recipe/