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Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef

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This easy, comforting skillet dinner features penne pasta tossed with juicy ground beef, a rich garlic butter sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleasing weeknight staple that’s endlessly adaptable and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil (about 5 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon salt, then add penne pasta. Cook according to package directions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Season with salt and black pepper.
  3. Push beef to one side of the pan. Add butter to the empty side. Once melted, add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened. Lower heat if garlic browns too quickly.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Add drained penne to the skillet. Toss to coat pasta in sauce. If skillet is too small, combine in the pasta pot.
  6. Sprinkle in mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and the mixture is gooey (about 2 minutes). Add extra mozzarella if desired.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free penne. For extra veggies, add spinach or bell peppers with the onion. For a crispy top, broil the finished pasta in an oven-safe skillet for 2-3 minutes. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly shredded cheese melts best. Leftovers keep well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy penne, garlic butter, ground beef, pasta skillet, weeknight dinner, comfort food, easy pasta, Italian-American, 30-minute meal

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