Description
This Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef is a comforting Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender rigatoni tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with ground beef, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty family dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart, until fully browned. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasonings: Add the butter to the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to deepen the flavor.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan and half of the shredded mozzarella until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly in the cheesy beef sauce.
- Melt Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top of the rigatoni. Cover the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a baked version, transfer the rigatoni and sauce mixture into a casserole dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil until golden and bubbly.
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage in place of the ground beef to vary the protein.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit for a milder dish.
