Description
Tender pieces of beef paired with spiraled rotini pasta in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce. This rich, hearty dish is perfect for a filling weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Creamy Beef Rotini:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup spinach or kale (for added greens)
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a bit of heat)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water to add to the sauce later, if needed, to adjust consistency.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. This should take about 6-7 minutes. Once browned, drain any excess fat and season the beef with a pinch of salt and pepper.
In the same skillet with the cooked ground beef, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
If you’re using flour to thicken the sauce, sprinkle it over the garlic and butter mixture, stirring constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux. This step will help thicken the sauce.
Next, slowly pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning to the sauce, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Add the cooked rotini pasta and browned ground beef to the garlic parmesan sauce, tossing everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. If needed, add more pasta water to adjust the sauce to your liking.
If you’re adding spinach or mushrooms, this is the time to stir them in. The spinach will wilt quickly, and the mushrooms will soften and blend into the sauce.
Once the pasta and beef are well coated with the creamy sauce, transfer the dish to serving plates. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately while the dish is hot and creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 500-550 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 30g