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Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef for Cozy Nights

Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is a comforting dish that offers a savory hug in a bowl, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Penne Pasta can be substituted with rigatoni or fusilli
For the Meat
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil can substitute with vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) fresh is essential for aroma
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjust to personal taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground is recommended
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning can substitute with oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional) omit for milder flavors
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or half-and-half for a lighter alternative
  • 1 cup Beef Broth or vegetable broth for a lighter flavor
For the Cheese
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated) can use pecorino
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) can substitute with cheddar
For Garnish
  • 0.25 cup Parsley (fresh, chopped) can substitute with basil

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  3. Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and no pink remains.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to meld the spices.
  5. Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  6. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss gently for 2-3 minutes to coat the pasta with the sauce.
  7. Mix in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted. This adds richness to the sauce.
  8. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta, cover, and reduce the heat to low until melted, about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating to revive creaminess.

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