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
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course, Pasta
Method:Italian-American
Cuisine:Gluten-Containing, Non-Vegetarian
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)