One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. This one pot creamy beef and garlic butter pasta is the official answer to those nights when you want comfort but also want to keep your couch time sacred. It cooks in one vessel, needs almost zero babysitting, and tastes like you cooked all day even though you did not.

If you want a slightly different spin on the one pot vibe, check out this similar one-pot creamy garlic pasta that leans extra cheesy and just as lazy-friendly. Trust me, you will be bragging to your friends about how domestic you are without breaking a sweat.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Why is this recipe awesome? Short answer: because it works. Long answer: it hits the comfort trifecta of savory beef, garlicky butter, and silky pasta in one pan. No draining, no multiple pots, less cleanup, more eating. Win win.

It is stupidly easy so even if you burn toast sometimes you will still pull this off. The sauce develops while the pasta cooks so you get real flavor without babysitting every five minutes. Plus, you can tweak it a million ways and it still behaves. Want to add mushrooms, spinach, or leftover veggies? Go for it.

If you like fun comfort combos, you might also enjoy this cheesy beef taco pasta mashup which is basically the party cousin of this dish. FYI, both are winners.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tbsp olive oil, because slippery food cooks happier
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef, the muscle of the operation
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, do not be shy here
• ½ tsp salt, I like to taste and adjust later
• ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground if you are fancy
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat), only if you want a tiny kick
• 3 cups beef broth, the backbone of the sauce
• 2 cups milk (or heavy cream for extra richness), cream = luxury
• 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine), use what you have
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning, herb vibes only
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, the magic dust
• 2 tbsp butter, for glossy, rich finish
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish), because color matters

Pro tip: If you use cream instead of milk, the sauce gets decadently clingy. If you want to keep it lighter, milk works just fine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up until browned.
3. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in beef broth and milk. Stir well.
5. Add pasta and Italian seasoning, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
7. Reduce heat to low and stir in parmesan cheese and butter until melted and creamy.
8. Adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
10. Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking you can skip browning the beef. Browning builds flavor people actually taste. Dont be lazy.
• Overcrowding your pan with pasta so the liquid cant cover it. The pasta needs to bathe.
• Not stirring occasionally. Pasta can glom together or stick to the bottom if you ignore it. Stir like you mean it.
• Adding cheese at high heat. Melt the cheese on low so it gets creamy not grainy.
• Forgetting to taste. Season as you go. Your future self will thank you.

Heads up: if your sauce looks thin at the end, it is probably totally fine. Let it rest a couple minutes and it will thicken. Or add a splash more cheese for instant comfort.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No beef on hand? Swap for ground turkey or chicken. You will lose some beefy depth but gain speed. IMO turkey pairs great with extra herbs.
• Want it creamier? Use heavy cream instead of milk. You will also get bragging rights.
• Dairy free? Use unsweetened oat milk and a dairy free butter substitute. The texture will change but the idea remains.
• Low sodium? Use low sodium broth and taste before adding salt. The parmesan adds a salty punch too.
• Pasta swap? Short shapes like penne or rotini work best for sauce cling, but fettuccine gives you that luxe twirl factor. Try what you love.

If you want other ways to play with creamy garlic vibes, check out these creamy garlic butter pasta variations for ideas and protein swaps.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A. Well technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that. Butter gives a richer finish so use butter if possible.

Q. Can I make this vegetarian?
A. Sure. Swap the beef for mushrooms, crumbled tofu, or a can of drained chickpeas. Cook them until browned so you still get texture.

Q. Can I use dried herbs instead of Italian seasoning?
A. Absolutely. Use about 1 tsp combined of basil, oregano, and thyme or whatever dried herbs you have. Fresh herbs are nice but dried work well.

Q. What if my pasta absorbs all the liquid before it is cooked?
A. Add a splash of broth or milk, cover and keep cooking, stirring occasionally. This is normal if your heat runs high.

Q. Can I double this recipe?
A. Yes, but use a bigger pot so everything stays submerged and cooks evenly. You will also need a bit more time for simmering.

Q. Can I freeze leftovers?
A. You can, but creamy pasta changes texture when frozen. Freeze if you must, but plan to reheat gently with a splash of milk.

Q. How long does this keep in the fridge?
A. Probably 3 to 4 days. Reheat on low with a splash of milk or broth to revive the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This one pot creamy beef and garlic butter pasta is basically the kitchen equivalent of throwing on cozy socks. It is fast, forgiving, and reliably delicious. You will get a little pan drama with starchy sauce, cheesy melt, and garlic punch, and honestly who needs complicated when this works so well.

Bold move: serve it with garlic bread and a simple salad and pretend you planned all week. Your guests or roommates or just you will be impressed.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it. Go slow, stir often, and enjoy every bite.

Conclusion

If you want to see another take on this comforting, lazy friendly dish and compare techniques, check out the original inspiration over at One-pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta on Umami.

One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A delicious and easy one pot creamy pasta that combines savory beef, garlicky butter, and silky pasta, all cooked in one vessel for minimal cleanup.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 cups milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
• 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up until browned.
3. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in beef broth and milk. Stir well.
5. Add pasta and Italian seasoning, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
7. Reduce heat to low and stir in parmesan cheese and butter until melted and creamy.
8. Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
9. Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad!

Notes

Use cream for a richer sauce. If sauce is too thick, add more milk or broth. Let sauce rest if it looks thin; it will thicken up.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: one pot, creamy pasta, beef pasta, easy dinner, comfort food