Description
Cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef is a rich, creamy comfort food dish with tender pasta, savory ground beef, melted cheese, and a garlicky butter sauce. This quick skillet pasta comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners and family meals.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
4 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced (optional)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
Push the beef to the side of the skillet. Melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add onion (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
Reduce heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
Add cooked penne and stir to combine.
Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
Add veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy penne, garlic butter pasta, ground beef recipes, comfort food, weeknight dinner, pasta skillet, one-pot meals, creamy pasta