Description
This One Pot Quick and Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta features tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a velvety cream sauce, all cooked together in a single pot for a comforting, fuss-free dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or chili flakes (optional)
- 3 1/2 cups (820 ml) chicken stock or broth
- 2 cups (250 g) penne pasta or any pasta of your choice
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (30 g) mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Parsley or chives, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Season with salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
- Add the pasta and stir well. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and mozzarella cheese, if using. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape you prefer.
- Add more broth if needed while cooking to prevent sticking.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Customize by adding vegetables like spinach or bell peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg