Description
This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef combines tender penne pasta with a rich and creamy blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses melted into a savory garlic butter ground beef sauce. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, it offers a flavorful American-Italian twist with simple ingredients and easy stovetop preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Onion: In a large skillet, heat unsalted butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the beef is fully browned and the onion is tender.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld without burning the garlic.
- Create the Sauce Base: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir well to coat. Slowly whisk in the milk and beef broth to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Melt the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted into a creamy sauce.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is completely coated with the cheesy beef sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the cheesy penne onto plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes during the garlic and seasoning step.
- Sautéed mushrooms can be added with the onions for an earthier flavor.
- This dish reheats well; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
