Description
Delicious beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce brings Italian comfort to dinner tables. Quick weeknight meal combines tender meat, pasta, and creamy sauce for a satisfying dinner you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or thinly sliced sirloin)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil rotini pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve a cup of pasta water.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Remove beef from skillet, leaving behind flavorful drippings.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter, then add minced garlic, sautéing quickly until aromatic but not browned.
- Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer the cream mixture for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the sauce until completely melted and smooth.
- Return cooked beef to the skillet and fold in the rotini pasta, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- If sauce seems too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle without being too thick or thin.
- Low-Carb Swap: Replace rotini with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version that maintains the rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Flavor Boost: Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty undertones and prevent burning, which can make the sauce bitter and harsh.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a creamy, plant-based version that still delivers incredible depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg