One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta with Garlic Butter
This quick, family-friendly one-pot pasta brings together juicy ground beef, garlic butter, and Parmesan for a silky, comforting sauce—minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
Ingredients
One-Pot Pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 oz penne or spaghetti pasta
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper to taste
- fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Create the Garlic Butter Base: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant (do not brown garlic).
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in Italian seasoning and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Pasta in the Sauce: Add uncooked pasta; stir and press to submerge. Cover and cook according to package time until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in Parmesan: Remove from heat and immediately stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish & Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add 2–3 tablespoons of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream with the Parmesan. If the pot looks dry before the pasta is done, add 1–2 tablespoons of water at a time. Prefer a thicker sauce? Simmer uncovered for 1–2 minutes after adding the cheese.