Description
Succulent beef pasta swirls through a silky garlic sauce that promises comfort and flavor. Home cooks can master this Italian-inspired classic with simple ingredients and easy preparation steps.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 grams) beef sirloin or ground beef (thinly sliced or crumbled)
- 12 oz (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little spice)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Ignite a robust boil in a large pot of salted water. Immerse pasta strands, cooking until perfectly al dente. Rescue a portion of starchy liquid before complete drainage.
- Protein Searing: Heat a spacious skillet with olive oil at medium-high. Introduce seasoned beef, incorporating salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian herbs. Develop a golden-brown crust, then transfer to a holding plate.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Quickly sauté minced garlic, then deglaze with beef broth to capture caramelized essence. Blend heavy cream, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes until a luxurious sauce emerges.
- Combining Elements: Reintroduce seared beef to the creamy sauce. Incorporate pasta, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water to ensure a glossy, clinging texture.
- Final Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve immediately alongside crusty garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Cooking: Ensure water is heavily salted and at rolling boil to infuse maximum flavor directly into pasta strands during cooking.
- Prevent Beef Dryness: Sear meat quickly on high heat, avoiding overcrowding the pan to maintain optimal caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water strategically – its starchy nature helps emulsify sauce, allowing perfect thickening and smooth texture without separating.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast herbs and spices briefly before adding to beef to unlock more intense, complex aromatics that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 739
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 601 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg