Description
Savory beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal packed with rich flavors. Creamy cheese, tender pasta, and seasoned beef create a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies hungry families in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 12 oz (340g) rotini pasta
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk (or half-and-half for a richer sauce)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in a generously salted water bath, cooking rotini until perfectly tender yet firm. Drain thoroughly and set aside, allowing residual moisture to evaporate.
- Transform ground beef in a spacious skillet, breaking down the meat into delicate crumbles while sizzling over medium heat. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the fragrant mixture to a separate plate.
- Create a velvety garlic Parmesan sauce by melting butter and introducing flour to develop a smooth, golden roux. Gradually stream milk into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a silky consistency. Allow the sauce to thicken and develop depth, then fold in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes for an extra flavor dimension.
- Reunite the beef mixture with the sauce, gently folding in the reserved rotini. Ensure each pasta strand is luxuriously coated with the creamy, savory sauce, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Present the dish immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese to elevate the visual and flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose rotini with ridges for better sauce absorption, helping the creamy Parmesan mixture cling perfectly to each pasta curve.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version, maintaining the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Enhance sauce thickness by whisking continuously during roux preparation, preventing lumps and ensuring a smooth, silky texture that coats pasta beautifully.
- Add extra red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or reduce them for a milder taste, making the recipe adaptable to different heat preferences and family palates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 601mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 107mg