Description
This Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a comforting and quick dish featuring tender ground beef and perfectly cooked rotini pasta tossed in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a deliciously satisfying meal ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, with versatile options for customization and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving one cup of pasta water.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the beef and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic for the best flavor.
- Create the garlic parmesan sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the cooked rotini into the skillet with the sauce and beef, stirring gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with parmesan cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for smooth melting and better flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente is best since it will soften further in the sauce.
- Sauté garlic gently to preserve its delicate flavor and avoid bitterness.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Adjust seasoning as needed to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: beef rotini, garlic parmesan sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, easy weeknight meal
