Description
This One Pot Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is a comforting Italian-American dish combining ground beef, tender penne pasta, and rich garlic butter all cooked together in a single pot. Enhanced with savory marinara sauce, aromatic herbs, and melted cheeses, it delivers a hearty, creamy, and flavorful meal perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 12 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant to build depth of flavor.
- Add Sauces and Pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth, then stir in the uncooked penne pasta along with salt and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Finish with Cheese and Butter: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese until they melt into a creamy sauce, coating the pasta and beef evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve hot, enjoying this rich and savory one-pot meal.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream at the end with the cheeses.
- Penne pasta can be substituted with rigatoni, rotini, or spaghetti as preferred.
- This dish reheats well and makes excellent leftovers for meal prepping.
