Description
This Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef is a comforting and rich pasta dish that combines perfectly cooked rigatoni with a luscious garlic butter cream sauce, savory ground beef, and a blend of melted cheeses. It’s an ideal meal for those craving a hearty, flavorful dinner with Italian-American flair, finished with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Make Roux: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture and whisk constantly to form a roux, cooking for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Thicken Sauce: Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Then, stir in the heavy cream. Continue cooking and stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Cheeses and Combine: Lower the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and creamy. Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Toss Pasta and Simmer: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the cheesy beef sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes so flavors meld together and the pasta is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately for a rich, flavorful dinner.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier, more robust flavor.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick if desired.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or a crisp green salad to balance the richness.
- To make this meal gluten-free, use gluten-free rigatoni and substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative like rice flour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
