Creamy Beef Pasta (Printable)

Hearty pasta with tender beef in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Beef & Aromatics

02 - 14 oz ground beef
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - ½ cup beef broth
07 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
10 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
13 - Extra Parmesan, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste, Italian herbs, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
05 - Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
06 - Lower the heat to medium. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. If desired, add a splash of pasta water for a silkier sauce. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The way the cream and beef broth create this velvety sauce that coats every single piece of pasta
  • It comes together in about 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • My husband claims this is the only pasta dish where he actually wants seconds every single time
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the tomato paste with the spices, it adds this incredible richness
  • If the sauce feels too thick, that reserved pasta water will fix everything
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits, so don't panic if it seems slightly loose at first
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a block, pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Taste and adjust your seasoning before adding the pasta, it's much harder to fix afterward

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