Description
A rich, garlicky cream sauce envelops tender penne pasta and flavorful ground beef in this quick, crowd-pleasing dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this cozy pasta combines smoky, savory, and creamy textures in under 30 minutes with no complicated steps.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
12 oz penne pasta
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or garlic powder)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef until browned and crumbly
Add chopped onion and sauté 3-5 minutes until softened
Stir in minced garlic for 1 minute to release aroma
Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth, and Italian seasoning
Simmer 5-7 minutes until slightly reduced
Whisk in heavy cream and smoked paprika
Add butter until melted and incorporated
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt/pepper
Combine cooked pasta with sauce in the skillet
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and glossy
Serve immediately with additional Parmesan if desired
Notes
For a leaner version, substitute ground turkey for beef
Add steamed broccoli or spinach for extra nutrients
Optional garnish: Fresh basil or parsley
The sauce thickens more as it cools but is best served hot
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop/One-pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cup serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg