Description
This Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked rotini pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter cream sauce, loaded with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and savory ground beef. Finished with Italian seasoning and fresh parsley, it’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound rotini pasta
Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink inside. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine it with the garlic butter. Warm the mixture through, then add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir continuously until cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, add the drained rotini pasta, and toss together to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Season: Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Toss everything well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the cheesy rotini pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use freshly minced garlic for best flavor; garlic powder can be a shortcut but is less aromatic.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes along with the seasonings.
- The dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
