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A hearty bowl of rigatoni pasta topped with tender beef chunks coated in creamy garlic butter sauce, sprinkled with Parmesan and parsley.

One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta (Comfort Food in a Bowl)

Molly
This One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is everything you crave in a weeknight dinner—savory ground beef, tender noodles, and a silky garlic cream sauce that brings it all together. Made in a single skillet with minimal cleanup, this hearty pasta dish is pure comfort food magic in just 40 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired
Servings 6 servings
Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef lean
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 16 oz short pasta penne, rotini, or shells
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian herbs. Remove from pan and set aside.
  • Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, add butter and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in beef broth, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Add pasta and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
  • Add Back the Beef: Stir in cooked beef and cover. Simmer for 12-14 minutes until pasta is tender.
  • Creamy Finish: Lower the heat and stir in cream and Parmesan. Let it simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Serve: Top with parsley and extra Parmesan if you’d like.

Notes

Secret Tips for One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta

1. Brown the beef properly: Don’t rush this step—let the ground beef develop a deep golden crust before adding the garlic butter. That caramelization creates a richer base for the creamy pasta sauce and makes the whole dish taste like true comfort food.
2. Save some pasta water: Before draining, scoop out about a cup of that starchy liquid gold. Adding a splash of it later helps emulsify the garlic butter sauce and makes the creamy beef pasta cling to every shell or noodle.
3. Use fresh garlic over powder: While garlic powder works in a pinch, fresh minced garlic in butter delivers that irresistible aroma and depth of flavor that makes this one-pot dinner unforgettable.
4. Pick the right pasta shape: Shells, penne, or rotini are perfect since they trap the creamy sauce and tender beef in every bite. Long pasta like spaghetti won’t hold the garlic butter cream sauce as well.
5. Finish with extra richness: Right before serving, stir in a knob of butter or a splash of heavy cream for a velvety finish. This little touch takes your easy one-pot creamy beef pasta from weeknight quick to restaurant-style indulgence.
6. Balance with freshness: A sprinkle of parsley, fresh basil, or even a squeeze of lemon can cut through the richness of the garlic butter pasta, keeping the flavors bright and satisfying.
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