Description
This Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta is a comforting and rich one-pan dish combining tender pasta with a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce and savory ground beef. Perfect for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner, it blends Italian-inspired flavors with the hearty texture of ground beef, all cooked together on the stovetop for easy cleanup and delightful taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rotini)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Ground Beef and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Remove the meat mixture from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Slowly pour in the whole milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously, cooking until the mixture thickens slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Meat with Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef mixture to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat all the noodles with the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of reserved pasta water or a bit more heavy cream to the sauce.
- Boost nutrition by adding spinach or sautéed mushrooms to the meat mixture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta to maintain ideal texture in the final dish.
