Description
This One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is the ultimate comfort food made easy. Juicy ground beef, rich garlic butter, and a velvety cream sauce come together with tender pasta in one pan—no extra dishes required. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-favorite recipe is packed with bold, buttery flavor and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4–5 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ cup beef broth or water (for deglazing)
8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini preferred)
2 cups beef broth or water
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: 1 tablespoon cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
Optional garnish: Chopped fresh parsley, additional Parmesan
Instructions
Sauté Garlic: In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Brown the Beef: Add ground beef to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Deglaze the Pot: Add ¼ cup of broth or water and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits.
Cook the Pasta: Add pasta and 2 cups of broth or water. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
Add Cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir well. Simmer uncovered for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finish the Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add cream cheese or sour cream if desired for added richness.
Serve: Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
For extra garlic flavor, add a whole smashed clove during sautéing and remove before adding beef.
Don’t skip the deglazing step—it adds depth to the flavor.
Best served immediately, but leftovers store beautifully and reheat with a splash of cream or broth.
Swap ground beef for chicken or turkey for a lighter twist.
Great with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch & Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 620 per serving
- Fat: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 31g