Description
Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a creamy, cozy, easy dinner made with tender rotini, savory ground beef, fresh garlic, Parmesan, and a silky cheese sauce that clings to every spiral. This quick pasta dinner is perfect for weeknight meals, family dinner ideas, comfort food cravings, and simple food ideas when you want an easy recipe that tastes rich, hearty, and homemade.
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the rotini until al dente, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook until browned while breaking it into small crumbles.
3. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, then cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter, then pour in the beef broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese until the sauce becomes smooth.
7. Add the Parmesan cheese gradually, then stir in the mozzarella until melted and creamy.
8. Add the cooked rotini and toss until the pasta is fully coated in the garlic Parmesan sauce.
9. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is glossy and clings to the rotini.
10. Taste, adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, then serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce because pre-shredded cheese may not melt as evenly.
Keep the heat at medium or medium-low once the dairy is added so the sauce stays creamy instead of separating.
Save pasta water before draining because it helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling beautifully to the rotini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 585
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 112mg
Keywords: beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce, creamy beef pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, pasta dinner ideas, comfort food, ground beef pasta