Rich Creamy Beef Pasta for a Cozy Evening (Print Version)

Craving a hearty meal? This Creamy Beef Pasta recipe brings rich flavors and comforting warmth to your table. Simple steps for a delicious weeknight dinner.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Meat, Gluten (can be made Gluten-Free with GF pasta)

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (80/20 recommended)
03 - 12 oz (340g) short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)

→ Aromatics & Flavor Builders

04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 3 cups (720ml) beef broth (low sodium)
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)

→ Creamy Goodness

11 - 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
12 - 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk

→ Finishing Touches

13 - 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your biggest skillet or a Dutch oven and drizzle in a bit of olive oil. Get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Let it brown beautifully, getting some lovely crispy bits – that's flavor, my friend! Don't rush this step; it's the foundation of our rich Creamy Beef Pasta. Drain any excess fat, but leave a little for flavor. This is where I almost always forget to season the beef initially, so learn from my mistakes: a pinch of salt and pepper here helps!
02 - Once your beef is browned and looking good, push it to one side of the pan. Add your diced onion to the empty space, letting it soften and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell that starts to fill the kitchen! Then, toss in your minced garlic and the tomato paste. Stir the tomato paste around for a minute or two, letting it toast a bit. This deepens its flavor, honestly, it's a game-changer. Don't let the garlic burn, though; a quick sauté is all it needs. I once burnt the garlic here, and the whole dish tasted… off. Live and learn!
03 - Now for the magic! Stir the beef, onions, garlic, and tomato paste all together. Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s called fond, and it’s pure deliciousness! Bring it to a gentle simmer. This is where the flavors start to really meld. The aroma at this point is just incredible, savory and comforting. Let it bubble gently for about 5 minutes, reducing slightly.
04 - Reduce the heat to low. Now, here's the secret to the lusciousness: add your softened cream cheese, cut into cubes, and the milk. Stir constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. It takes a few minutes, so be patient. You'll see it transform into this beautiful, velvety sauce – it's so satisfying! Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese, because that's not what we're going for in our Creamy Beef Pasta.
05 - While your sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of salted boiling water. Make sure it's al dente – nobody likes mushy pasta! Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy pasta water (you might need it later to adjust sauce consistency). Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with your Creamy Beef Pasta sauce. Gently toss to coat every single noodle in that gorgeous sauce. This is where the kitchen chaos sometimes happens, especially if my skillet is a *tad* too small. Just embrace it!
06 - Finally, stir in half of your freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it even richer. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings – a little more salt, pepper, or maybe some extra red pepper flakes? Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan and a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley. The final result should be a glistening, savory, utterly comforting bowl of Creamy Beef Pasta. Enjoy!

# Notes:

01 - Don't rush browning the beef; those crusty bits are pure flavor.
02 - Always reserve some pasta water; it's a lifesaver for adjusting sauce consistency.
03 - Ensure cream cheese is softened, or it'll be lumpy – I learned that the hard way!
04 - A sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan is a must for presentation and flavor.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - large pot for cooking pasta

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650-750
Total Fat: 35-45g
Total Carbohydrate: 50-60g
Protein: 35-45g

Back