Description
Indulge in a rich and creamy garlic butter rigatoni topped with savory beef for a comforting meal your whole family will love! This decadent pasta dish is perfect for dinner and sure to satisfy all cravings
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Rigatoni:
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta (or any pasta shape of your choice)
- 2 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Cook the 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.
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Cook the Beef:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pan. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Make the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Continue to cook until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust the seasoning to taste.
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Combine the Pasta and Beef:
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the creamy sauce and toss until well coated.
- Gently fold in the cooked beef mixture. Continue to stir until everything is combined and heated through.
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Serve:
- Plate the creamy rigatoni with beef and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for garnish.
- Serve immediately while hot, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a little heat.
- If you like more cheese, feel free to add extra mozzarella or Parmesan to the sauce!
- This recipe can be made with any pasta you prefer, but rigatoni holds the creamy sauce beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg