Made this Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef for dinner, and it was absolutely delicious! The garlic butter sauce with the ground beef is so savory, and the melted mozzarella makes it even better.
Ingredients:
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup beef broth
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Begin by cooking the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water, following the instructions on the package. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
In a spacious skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula as it browns, until it's fully cooked through.
Toss in the minced garlic and finely diced onion, sautéing for about 3 minutes, or until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes, mixing them into the beef and onion mixture for extra flavor.
Pour in the heavy cream and beef broth, stirring to blend everything together. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the drained penne pasta into the skillet. Stir everything together so the pasta is completely coated in the creamy sauce.
Gradually stir in the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, letting them melt smoothly into the sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Finish off by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4 | Calories: ~600 per serving