Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta with Ground Beef

An Easy, One-Pan Comfort Dinner You Can Always Count On

Some meals don’t try to be impressive. They don’t chase trends or show off fancy ingredients. They simply show up when you need something warm, filling, and reassuring.

This creamy garlic butter pasta with ground beef is exactly that kind of meal.

It’s what you cook on a long weekday night when you’re drained, the fridge isn’t fully stocked, and you want dinner to feel comforting without being complicated. No specialty items. No extra steps. Just honest food that feels like it gets you.

What makes this dish stand out isn’t only the rich, creamy sauce or the buttery garlic flavor, though those certainly don’t hurt. It’s the way everything cooks together in one pan. The beef turns savory and deep. The garlic softens into the butter. The pasta absorbs the sauce instead of sitting underneath it. By the end, you’ve got a skillet full of cozy, satisfying food that tastes far more involved than it actually is.

It’s the kind of recipe you make once and then never forget.

Why This Pasta Is Such a Winner

• One pan means easy cleanup
• Ground beef keeps it affordable and hearty
• Garlic butter and cream are a foolproof pairing
• Ready in about 30 minutes
• Kid-friendly and great for leftovers

You can keep it simple or add extras, but no matter what, it delivers every time.

Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta with Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta such as fettuccine, linguine, or penne

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 5–6 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional but adds great flavor)

• 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Red pepper flakes (optional)

• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the beef
Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Drain excess grease if needed, leaving a little behind for flavor.

2. Add butter, garlic, and onion
Reduce the heat slightly. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the garlic and onion. Cook for 1–2 minutes until soft and fragrant, making sure the garlic doesn’t brown.

3. Create the sauce
Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using.

4. Cook the pasta in the pan
Add the uncooked pasta directly to the sauce, pressing it down so it’s mostly covered. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens.

5. Add the cheese
Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Let the pasta sit for a minute or two so the sauce thickens further.

6. Garnish and serve
Top with fresh parsley and serve straight from the pan while hot and creamy.

Tips and Easy Variations

• For extra richness, add a little more cream or a spoonful of cream cheese
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken
• Add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or peas
• Try Asiago or Romano for a bolder cheese flavor
• Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs on top for crunch

Final Thought

This isn’t a “special occasion” dish. It’s a real-life dinner. It’s for busy evenings, tired cooks, and people who want something comforting without turning the kitchen upside down.

Make it once, and it may quietly become one of the most requested meals in your home.

Because sometimes all you really need
is one pan, good pasta, and plenty of garlic butter. 🍝💛