Description
A creamy and comforting Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef, featuring al dente penne pasta tossed in a savory garlic butter sauce with seasoned ground beef and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, garnished with fresh parsley for a flavorful and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook thoroughly until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat if there is too much liquid in the pan.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the beef broth and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broth to reduce slightly.
- Add the Pasta: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta in the flavorful garlic butter and beef mixture evenly.
- Melt the Cheeses: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy, about 2-3 minutes, keeping the heat low to prevent cheese from curdling.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for freshness and color, then serve the dish hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Incorporate sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Double the cheese quantities for an extra gooey and cheesy finish.
- This dish reheats well, making it ideal for leftovers and meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
