Print

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta with Creamy Sauce

A close-up shot of spiral pasta coated in a rich, creamy, orange-hued sauce mixed with ground beef, served on a white plate.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this comforting and rich pasta dish featuring seasoned ground beef tossed in a decadent, creamy cheese sauce. It is a simple meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and the cubed cream cheese. Continue stirring until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy meat sauce.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
  • You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground Italian sausage.
  • Use different pasta shapes like shells or farfalle to better hold the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/cheesy-ground-beef-pasta-with-creamy-sauce/