Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Penne Pasta Recipe
This Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta combines tender penne pasta with a rich and savory ground beef sauce infused with aromatic herbs, garlic, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Finished with creamy heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, this comforting one-pan meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to warm up for cooking.
- Sauté onions: Add olive oil to the skillet. Once heated, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and no longer pink.
- Season the beef: Sprinkle dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes over the beef. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.
- Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cook pasta in sauce: Add penne pasta, spreading it evenly in the sauce. Cover skillet with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Make sauce creamy: Stir in heavy cream and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Season to taste: Add salt and black pepper as needed to adjust seasoning.
- Add cheese and finish: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy ground beef pasta immediately. Optionally garnish with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to preference.
- Use fresh herbs if available for more vibrant flavor, adjusting quantities to taste.
- To make it lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat milk alternative, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Stir occasionally when cooking pasta to prevent sticking to the skillet.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: creamy ground beef pasta, one pan pasta, stovetop pasta recipe, easy dinner, creamy pasta with beef
