A hearty, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender penne, savory ground beef, and rich garlic butter sauce—all made in under 30 minutes!
🎉 Introduction
If you’re craving a quick and comforting meal that hits all the right notes—savory, cheesy, garlicky—then this Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is the answer. It’s the kind of one-pan pasta magic that feels indulgent but is easy enough for any weeknight dinner. 🍝✨
With layers of flavor from garlic butter and Italian spices, this dish is meaty, melty, and impossible to resist. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will devour!
🛒 Ingredients
(Serves 4–6)
🍝 Pasta & Meat
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or 80/20)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
🧄 Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🧀 Cheese & Cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ cup heavy cream or half & half
- ¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
🌿 Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra Parmesan
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Penne
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook penne until al dente according to package instructions.
- Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil (if using) over medium heat.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook until browned and cooked through (about 7–8 minutes).
- Remove beef and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat.
- Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Return beef to the skillet with garlic butter.
- Stir in cooked pasta, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water.
- Add mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Stir gently over low heat until cheese is fully melted and sauce coats the pasta.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil.
- Serve hot with extra cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the garlic butter
- Veggie Add-In: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers
- Baked Version: Top with extra cheese and broil for 2–3 minutes
- Ground Turkey/Chicken: Use instead of beef for a lighter version
- Creamy Alfredo Style: Add more cream and Parmesan for a richer base
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze portions in containers for up to 2 months
- Reheat: Microwave with a splash of milk or reheat in a skillet with a bit of cream to loosen sauce
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use another pasta?
Yes—rigatoni, rotini, or fusilli all work great. - Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Assemble and reheat with a splash of cream before serving. - Can I skip the heavy cream?
Use milk and a bit more cheese, or substitute with half and half. - What cheese works best?
Mozzarella for meltiness, cheddar for sharpness, Parmesan for richness. - Can I make it in one pot?
Yes—use an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for both pasta and sauce. - Is this kid-friendly?
Definitely—kids love the cheesy goodness! - How can I make it less rich?
Use lean meat, less cheese, and swap cream for milk. - Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes—omit beef and add roasted veggies or plant-based meat. - What protein can I use instead?
Italian sausage, ground chicken, or tofu crumbles work well. - Does it work as a freezer meal?
Absolutely—freeze in portions and reheat when needed.
🏁 Conclusion
This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is everything comfort food should be: creamy, savory, satisfying, and easy enough to make on a busy night. With bold garlic butter flavor and melt-in-your-mouth cheese, it’s sure to become a staple in your pasta night rotation. 🍝🧄🧀
Grab a fork, dig in, and enjoy every cheesy, beefy bite!
Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef – Comfort in Every Bite
With layers of flavor from garlic butter and Italian spices, this dish is meaty, melty, and impossible to resist. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will devour!
Ingredients
✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love
Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.
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🍳
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
-
⚡
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric
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🔥
CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Method
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Cook penne until al dente according to package instructions.
-
Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.
-
In a large skillet, heat olive oil (if using) over medium heat.
-
Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
-
Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
-
Cook until browned and cooked through (about 7–8 minutes).
-
Remove beef and set aside.
-
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat.
-
Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
-
Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
-
Return beef to the skillet with garlic butter.
-
Stir in cooked pasta, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water.
-
Add mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
-
Stir gently over low heat until cheese is fully melted and sauce coats the pasta.
-
Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil.
-
Serve hot with extra cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the garlic butter
Veggie Add-In: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers
Baked Version: Top with extra cheese and broil for 2–3 minutes
Ground Turkey/Chicken: Use instead of beef for a lighter version
Creamy Alfredo Style: Add more cream and Parmesan for a richer base
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days
Freezer: Freeze portions in containers for up to 2 months
Reheat: Microwave with a splash of milk or reheat in a skillet with a bit of cream to loosen sauce
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use another pasta?
Yes—rigatoni, rotini, or fusilli all work great.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Assemble and reheat with a splash of cream before serving.
Can I skip the heavy cream?
Use milk and a bit more cheese, or substitute with half and half.
What cheese works best?
Mozzarella for meltiness, cheddar for sharpness, Parmesan for richness.
Can I make it in one pot?
Yes—use an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for both pasta and sauce.
Is this kid-friendly?
Definitely—kids love the cheesy goodness!
How can I make it less rich?
Use lean meat, less cheese, and swap cream for milk.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes—omit beef and add roasted veggies or plant-based meat.
What protein can I use instead?
Italian sausage, ground chicken, or tofu crumbles work well.
Does it work as a freezer meal?
Absolutely—freeze in portions and reheat when needed.
🏁 Conclusion
This Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef is everything comfort food should be: creamy, savory, satisfying, and easy enough to make on a busy night. With bold garlic butter flavor and melt-in-your-mouth cheese, it’s sure to become a staple in your pasta night rotation. 🍝🧄🧀
Grab a fork, dig in, and enjoy every cheesy, beefy bite!
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