Picture this: tender ground beef, browned to perfection, mingling with a medley of aromatic spices. But here’s the twist that’ll have you craving more – our super creamy sauce, a blend of diced tomato goodness, and low-sodium beef broth, all brought together in less than 30 minutes!
And that’s not all – the secret ingredient, cream cheese, gives the dish an indulgent, velvety finish that’s practically impossible to resist.
Picky eaters? No problem! This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, loved by kids and adults alike. The creamy sauce and gooey Mozzarella cheese create a symphony of flavors and textures that even the fussiest eaters won’t resist.
Imagine sitting down to a warm plate of this delightful beef pasta after a busy day. It’s the perfect dinner idea for those hectic evenings when time is short and appetites are big.
And the best part? It’s all made in less than 30 minutes to enjoy a delicious and comforting meal without the stress.
So, whether you’re cooking for your family, impressing guests, or craving some seriously good comfort food, our ground beef pasta is here to save the day. With its creamy, cheesy goodness and quick preparation, it’s a dinner winner that brings joy to even the busiest days.
Creamy Beef Pasta Video Tutorial
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Beef Pasta
- Quick and Easy: This beef pasta is a lifesaver in the hustle and bustle of daily life. With a preparation time of under 30 minutes, it’s your go-to solution for satisfying hungry appetites without the stress.
- Family Favorite: This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a crowd-pleaser. The harmonious blend of flavors and comforting textures make it an instant hit with the whole family.
- Nutritious Twist: Add vibrant spinach for a boost of vitamins and minerals to your meal.
- Versatile: While the recipe is wonderful as is, it’s also a canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to customize it with your favorite vegetables, cheeses, or even a spicy touch to make it uniquely yours.
- Effortless Comfort Food: Sometimes, all you need is a comforting and hearty meal to unwind. This cheesy beef pasta effortlessly delivers that warm, cozy feeling that only comfort food can provide.
- Freezer Friendly: If you have more leftovers than you can enjoy in a few days, don’t worry! This pasta dish freezes beautifully, allowing you to preserve its taste and quality for future indulgence.
Beef Pasta Ingredients and Substitutions
- Lean Ground Beef (85% lean): The star of the dish, the lean ground beef brings savory richness and protein-packed goodness to the pasta. It’s browned and crumbled to perfection, infusing every bite with its hearty flavor. You can replace it with Italian sausage.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing ground beef and onions.
- Yellow Onion: Sautéed with the ground beef, the chopped onion adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: The minced garlic brings its unmistakable aroma and robust flavor to the dish. You can replace fresh garlic with garlic powder.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary is your passport to Italy’s flavors.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adjust the amount to suit your preferred heat level.
- Diced Tomato Sauce: This ingredient forms the base of the sauce, contributing a tangy and slightly sweet tomato essence that melds beautifully with the other flavors.
- Low Sodium Beef Broth: Opting for low sodium ensures you can control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Cream Cheese: This creamy superstar transforms the sauce into a velvety, luscious delight.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The gooey, melted Mozzarella cheese binds all the ingredients together. Its melty texture coats the pasta, enhancing the indulgent experience and adding that classic cheesy pull.
- Uncooked Pasta: The canvas upon which the flavors come together, uncooked pasta cooks to al dente perfection in boiling water. Its shape and texture catch the sauce, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
How To Make Creamy Beef Pasta?
- Cook the Pasta
Let’s start by getting a pot of water to boil. Add about 12 oz of pasta, any kind you like, and let it cook until it’s just the right amount of tender. Before you drain it, save a bit of the pasta water – it’s a helpful secret ingredient.
- Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, add the chopped onions and cook until they’re soft and fragrant. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef (85% lean).
Season: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Break it up into crumbles and brown it for 5 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Making the Beef Pasta Sauce
Pour in diced tomato sauce and low-sodium beef broth.
Simmer: Bring it all to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
Add the cream cheese: Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce turns creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese:
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Stir well, ensuring the pasta is coated evenly with the creamy sauce.
Sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and beautifully incorporated into the dish.
- Customize and Garnish:
If you’re adding optional ingredients like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or fresh herbs, this is the time to stir them in for added freshness and color.
What Type of Pasta to Use?
Here are a few pasta options that work exceptionally well with the Creamy Beef and Cheese Pasta recipe:
- Penne: With its ridges and hollow shape, penne pasta is fantastic at catching the creamy sauce. Its texture ensures that every bite is coated with luscious flavors.
- Fusilli: The spiral or corkscrew shape of fusilli pasta is perfect for holding onto the sauce and cheese. The nooks and crannies make for a delightful eating experience.
- Farfalle (Bowtie): Farfalle pasta is not only visually appealing but also captures the creamy sauce in its folds. The flat surface area allows for a generous coating of flavors.
- Rotini: This corkscrew-shaped pasta is a fun choice that holds onto sauce like a champ. The twists and turns ensure that each bite is bursting with flavor.
- Rigatoni: With its larger size and ridges, rigatoni pasta provides a satisfying chewiness and a generous surface area for the creamy sauce to cling to.
- Cavatappi: This spiral-shaped pasta is excellent for hearty sauces. The shape ensures that the sauce gets trapped in its grooves, creating a tantalizing taste in every forkful.
Pro Tips
- Al Dente Pasta: When cooking the pasta, aim for “al dente,” which means the pasta is cooked just until it’s tender with a slight bite. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when combined with the sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the cooked pasta, remember to reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be a helpful addition if you need to adjust the consistency of your sauce later on.
- Season Gradually: Start with a small amount of salt and adjust as needed. Remember that cheese adds saltiness, so taste and adjust towards the end.
- Customize with Veggies: Feel free to customize the recipe by adding more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Sauté or roast them separately and then mix them into the dish at the end for added flavor and nutrition.
- Cream Cheese Temperature: For easier melting, allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce. This will help it blend smoothly and evenly.
- Low and Slow: When adding the cream cheese to the sauce, use low heat and stir continuously until it’s fully melted. This prevents clumps and ensures a creamy consistency.
Serving Creamy Beef Pasta
Here are some of my favorite beef pasta toppings:
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Halved Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Sautéed Spinach
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store pasta leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days to maintain quality and safety.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can use the microwave or stovetop. Heat in intervals, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is heated through. On the stovetop, gently warm the pasta in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out.
Can I Freeze Creamy Beef Pasta?
Yes, if you want to store your Beef Pasta, follow these steps:
- Cool Completely: Ensure the pasta is fully cooled before freezing.
- Individual Portions: Portion the pasta into individual serving sizes. This way, you can thaw and reheat only what you need.
- Freezer Bags or Containers: Place the portions in heavy-duty freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label and Date: Label each package with the freezing date for easy reference.
- Freezing: Store the packages flat in the freezer for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that this might change the pasta texture. You can add a splash of heavy cream or water when reheating to restore the creaminess.
More Creamy Pasta Recipes
Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe: Quick, Easy, and Delicious
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef 85% lean
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomato sauce
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 12 oz uncooked pasta
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of water. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the lean ground beef. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the onions halfway through the cooking process and continue cooking until they are softened.
- Remove any excess fat from the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomato sauce and low sodium beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add in the cream cheese and stir continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with the shredded Mozzarella cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring the pasta is coated evenly and the cheese is melted.
- Once everything is well combined, and the cheese has melted, your creamy beef and cheese pasta is ready.
- Serve your delicious dish immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information
The nutritional information provided on this website is intended to be a helpful reference and convenience for our users. It is offered as a courtesy and is based on data primarily sourced from the USDA Food Composition Database.
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