One-Pot Creamy Beef & Garlic Butter Pasta

Hey there, flavor adventurers! Isla here from BiteTide, your partner in crime against boring weeknight dinners. Raise your hand if you’ve ever stared into the fridge at 6 PM, hangry family members circling, and thought, “Magic dinner fairy, where ARE you?” 🙋‍♀️ Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why this One-Pot Creamy Beef & Garlic Butter Pasta is my kitchen superhero – and it’s about to be yours.

Picture this: tender ground beef swimming in a luxuriously creamy, garlicky, Parmesan-kissed sauce, all tangled up with perfectly cooked pasta. The best part? It all happens in ONE POT. No juggling multiple burners, no mountain of dishes mocking you afterward – just pure, uncomplicated comfort landing on your table in about 30 minutes flat. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, a flavor explosion that tastes like you slaved for hours (shh, our secret!). It’s the answer to busy schedules, picky eaters, and that deep, primal craving for something rich, satisfying, and ridiculously easy. So grab your favorite pot, and let’s turn chaos into creamy, beefy bliss together!

Grandma’s Table & The Power of One Pot

This recipe always whisks me back to my grandma’s tiny, steam-clouded kitchen in our little coastal town. Money was tight, time was tighter, but Nana was a wizard with a single pot. Her version was simpler – maybe just beef, onions, broth, and whatever pasta was on sale – but the *feeling* was the same. It was the dish she’d whip up after a long day fishing with Dad, the aroma of garlic and seared beef cutting through the salty sea air clinging to our clothes. We’d crowd around her worn wooden table, elbows bumping, laughter mixing with the sound of spoons scraping bowls. It wasn’t fancy, but it was everything: warmth, comfort, pure satisfaction. That feeling – the magic of turning humble ingredients into a meal that feeds both belly and soul with minimal fuss – is the heart of BiteTide. This creamy beef pasta is my love letter to Nana’s one-pot wisdom, upgraded with a little extra garlic butter luxury because, well, why not?

One-Pot Creamy Beef & Garlic Butter Pasta

---

• Author: islamerrick
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Say hello to your new weeknight hero—this rich, comforting pasta is packed with bold garlic, juicy beef, and a velvety, buttery sauce that clings to every bite. And the best part? It all comes together in one pot. Fewer dishes, more deliciousness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 lb ground beef

2 tablespoons butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz penne or your favorite pasta

2 cups beef broth

1 cup milk or heavy cream

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

---

Instructions

In a large pot or skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.

Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.

Stir in the pasta, beef broth, and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.

Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Turn off the heat, stir in cheese until melted and creamy. Season to taste.

Garnish with parsley and serve hot!

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dinner

Nutrition

• Calories: ~580
• Fat: 34g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g

Gather Your Flavor Crew

Here’s your simple squad for maximum deliciousness (and easy swaps for whatever’s in your pantry!):

• 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 blend is ideal): Our hearty base! The little bit of fat adds SO much flavor. Feeling lighter? Ground turkey or chicken works beautifully! For a veggie twist, crumbled lentils or plant-based crumbles are fab.
• 2 Tablespoons Butter (salted or unsalted): The secret to that rich, velvety depth. It makes the garlic sing! Vegan? A good olive oil or plant-based butter does the trick.
• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced: Fresh is best here! It infuses the butter and beef with its unmistakable, mouthwatering aroma. Jarred minced garlic (about 1.5 tbsp) works in a pinch, but fresh packs more punch.
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning: Our flavor booster! This little blend of herbs (oregano, basil, thyme, etc.) adds instant complexity. No blend? Use ½ tsp dried oregano + ½ tsp dried basil.
• ½ Cup Beef Broth: Liquid gold for building our sauce! It adds savory depth. Chicken or veggie broth are perfect substitutes. Low-sodium is great if you’re watching salt.
• ½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (plus extra for serving!): Hello, creamy magic and salty tang! Freshly grated melts smoother than pre-grated (which has anti-caking agents). Pecorino Romano is a sharper, saltier cousin if you like.
• 8 oz Pasta (Penne, Rigatoni, Spaghetti, etc.): The vehicle for all that saucy goodness! Short shapes like penne trap the sauce best. Gluten-free? Use your favorite GF pasta – just check cooking times!
• Water (about 3-4 cups, enough to just cover pasta): Simple, but crucial! It cooks the pasta and becomes part of the luscious sauce.
• Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential flavor finishers! Season the beef as it cooks, and taste again before serving.
• Optional Garnish: Fresh Parsley or Basil: A pop of color and freshness! Totally optional, but highly recommended.

Let’s Build That Flavor Wave! (Step-by-Step)

1. Brown the Beef: Fire up your large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Crumble in that ground beef. Let it sizzle and brown beautifully, breaking it up with your spoon – no grey meat here! We want those tasty browned bits (fond!) stuck to the pot; that’s pure flavor gold. Once browned (about 5-7 mins), carefully drain off most of the excess fat. Leave just a little for richness! Chef Hack: Season the beef lightly with salt & pepper while it cooks!
2. Garlic Butter Bliss: Push the beef to one side. Add the butter to the empty spot and let it melt. Toss in the minced garlic. Ahhh, breathe it in! Sauté for just 1-2 minutes until incredibly fragrant – don’t let it burn! Stir it into the beef. Chef Hack: If your garlic starts browning too fast, just stir everything together quickly to cool it down.
3. Simmer the Savory Base: Sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, stirring to wake up those dried herbs. Pour in the beef broth. Give it a good stir, scraping up *all* those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that’s where SO much flavor lives! Let it bubble gently for about 2 minutes. Chef Insight: This step builds the foundation of your sauce. Don’t rush it!
4. Pasta Party Time! Add the uncooked pasta directly to the pot. Pour in just enough water to barely cover the pasta (start with 3 cups, add a splash more if needed). Give it a good stir to make sure nothing’s sticking. Crank the heat up to bring it to a lively boil. Chef Tip: Using pre-boiled water from a kettle speeds this up slightly!
5. The Creamy Transformation: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low (a steady simmer). Let it cook, stirring FREQUENTLY (like every 1-2 minutes!), for 10-12 minutes. The pasta will cook in the flavorful liquid, which will also thicken beautifully. You want the pasta al dente (tender but with a slight bite) and the sauce creamy, not watery. It will continue to thicken slightly off the heat. Chef Hack: Stirring often prevents sticking and helps release the pasta starch, which naturally thickens the sauce. If it looks dry before pasta is cooked, add a splash more water or broth.
6. Cheesy Perfection: Take the pot off the heat! Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a luscious, creamy coating. Taste it – this is your moment! Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Chef Note: Removing the pot from heat before adding cheese helps prevent it from clumping or becoming grainy.

Plate Up & Shine!

Get ready for the applause! Ladle generous portions of this steaming, creamy pasta into shallow bowls. The aroma alone will have everyone gathered around. For that final “chef’s kiss,” sprinkle on some extra grated Parmesan (because is there ever *enough* cheese?) and a vibrant shower of chopped fresh parsley or basil. It adds a fresh contrast and makes it look restaurant-worthy. This dish is gloriously complete on its own, but a simple green salad or some crusty garlic bread for mopping up every last drop of that incredible sauce? *Chef’s kiss amplified!* Serve it immediately while it’s piping hot and irresistibly creamy.

Ride Your Own Flavor Wave! (Variations)

This recipe is your canvas! Get creative:

1. Mushroom & Spinach Lover: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms when browning the beef. Stir in 2 big handfuls of fresh spinach right after adding the cheese – it wilts in seconds!
2. Spicy Arrabbiata Twist: Crave heat? Stir in 1-2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. Add ½ cup of your favorite marinara sauce along with the broth.
3. Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Fiesta: Chop ¼ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes and ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives. Stir them in with the cheese for a Mediterranean punch.
4. Creamier Dreamier: Want it even more decadent? Stir in ¼ cup of cream cheese or heavy cream with the Parmesan.
5. Light & Bright: Use ground turkey, low-sodium broth, and swap half the Parmesan for nutritional yeast. Finish with lemon zest!

Isla’s Kitchen Confessions

Okay, real talk? The first time I tested this, I got distracted (probably by a toddler emergency involving glitter), forgot to stir, and ended up with slightly *too* thick sauce and one stubborn patch of stuck pasta on the bottom. Lesson learned: frequent stirring is non-negotiable! But you know what? It still tasted AMAZING. That’s the beauty of this dish – it’s forgiving. Over the years, I’ve played with adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef (umami boost!), or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness. The core magic remains: one pot, simple ingredients, maximum comfort. It’s evolved into my ultimate “I can’t even” night lifesaver. The happy dance I do when that cheese melts into creamy perfection? Guaranteed every single time. Don’t stress perfection – embrace the delicious chaos!

Your Questions, Answered!

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! Short shapes like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or rotini work best because they hold the sauce well. Longer pastas like spaghetti or fettuccine work too, but you might need a smidge more liquid and they can be trickier to stir without breaking. Avoid very small pasta like orzo – it can get mushy.

Q: My sauce seems too thin/too thick! Help!
A: Don’t panic! Sauces have moods.
* Too Thin: Let it simmer off the heat for a few extra minutes, stirring constantly. The residual heat will thicken it. If it’s *really* thin, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir it in, simmering for 1 min more.
* Too Thick: Easy fix! Stir in a splash of warm broth, water, or even milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired creaminess. Remember, it thickens as it cools slightly too!

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: It’s best fresh! The pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so leftovers will be much thicker. To reheat, add a splash of broth or milk and gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. It won’t be *quite* as perfect as fresh, but still tasty!

Q: Is there a way to add veggies easily?
A: Yes! Finely diced onions or bell peppers sautéed with the beef is classic. Frozen peas or corn stirred in with the cheese work great. For greens like spinach or kale, add them right at the end (step 6) so they just wilt.

The Nourishing Bite (Approximate per serving)

Calories: ~630 | Protein: 30g | Carbs: 45g | Fat: 38g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: ~520mg
Remember: These are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used (like exact beef fat content or cheese type).

There you have it, friends! Your passport to creamy, beefy, garlicky heaven with minimal cleanup. This One-Pot Creamy Beef & Garlic Butter Pasta is more than just a recipe; it’s your weeknight win, your comfort blanket, your proof that delicious doesn’t have to be difficult. Give it a try, make it your own, and let me know how it goes! Drop a comment below or tag me @BiteTide on social – I live for your kitchen victories and happy dances. Now go grab that pot and conquer dinner! 💛 – Isla