Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is a cozy meal that brings comfort and flavor to your table. After making this many times, I learned the secret to the perfect texture. Creamy, rich, and satisfying. Check out my Sweet Heat Stuffed Beef and Cheese Onions for more beef recipes. Jump to Recipe If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sweet Heat Stuffed Beef and Cheese Onions and Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
Why This Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Cozy comfort food
- Perfect for busy nights
- Rich and creamy sauce
- Easy to make
What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces spaghetti or penne pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Grated parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Chopped parsley
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Use 85% lean ground beef for best results.
- Tomato sauce: Use a rich, chunky tomato sauce for more flavor.
- Heavy cream: Do not substitute with milk. It will not be creamy enough.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor.
- Pasta: Use short pasta like penne or rigatoni for best sauce cling.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick pasta pot — Prevents pasta from sticking and makes cleanup easier → See on Amazon
- Measuring cups and spoons — Ensures accurate ingredient amounts for consistent results → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
- Brown the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into pieces. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain well.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce and cream: Stir in tomato sauce and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine everything: Add cooked pasta to the beef mixture. Toss until well coated. Stir in parmesan cheese.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with fresh basil and additional parmesan if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
- Best technique: Brown the beef first for better flavor and texture.
- Common mistake and fix: If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or pasta cooking water to thin it.
- Time-saving hack: Use pre-shredded parmesan for convenience.
- Flavor booster: Add a splash of red wine for extra depth of flavor.
Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare up to 2 days in advance and reheat before serving.
Freezing Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in a microwave-safe bowl for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter at the end.
- Best substitution: Use milk instead of cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Scaling: Adjust ingredient amounts based on how many servings you need.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too runny, simmer it longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Crockpot — Allows for hands-off cooking and even heat distribution → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces spaghetti or penne pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into pieces. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain well.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce and cream: Stir in tomato sauce and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine everything: Add cooked pasta to the beef mixture. Toss until well coated. Stir in parmesan cheese.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with fresh basil and additional parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter at the end.
- Best substitution: Use milk instead of cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Scaling: Adjust ingredient amounts based on how many servings you need.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too runny, simmer it longer to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in a microwave-safe bowl for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare up to 2 days in advance and reheat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can make it up to 2 days in advance and reheat it before serving.
If the sauce is too dry, add a splash of water or pasta cooking water to thin it.
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Total cooking time is about 30 minutes, including boiling the pasta.
Use milk instead of cream for a lighter version, but the sauce will not be as rich.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
