Cheesy Penne Ground Beef (Print Version)

Penne paired with hearty ground beef and creamy, cheesy sauce for a flavorful main course.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Meat

01 - 340 g penne pasta
02 - 450 g ground beef

→ Sauce Base

03 - 45 g unsalted butter
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 240 ml heavy cream
07 - 120 ml beef broth

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to a plate.
03 - Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until the onions are translucent and aromatic, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Mix in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth, whisking continuously. Allow to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
05 - Return cooked ground beef to the skillet and stir to coat evenly with the sauce. Add drained penne pasta and toss until well combined and heated through.
06 - Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Notes:

01 - For enhanced flavor, reserve a cup of pasta water and add a splash if the sauce needs thinning.