Description
Comfort meets elegance in this ground beef alfredo, where creamy pasta intertwines with savory meat. Pasta lovers will discover a simple yet luxurious dish that delivers rich flavors and hearty satisfaction in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
- 12 oz (340 g) small pasta shells
- 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) heavy cream
- 2/3 cup (75 g) shredded parmesan cheese
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons garlic puree
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta shells by boiling in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Brown thoroughly for 5-6 minutes, ensuring no pink remains.
- After beef is completely cooked, introduce butter and garlic to the skillet. Stir until butter melts and garlic becomes aromatic, releasing its rich flavor profile.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, combining with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 4 minutes, stirring consistently to develop sauce consistency.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and incorporate cooked pasta shells, thoroughly coating each piece with the creamy sauce. Ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce reaches a smooth, silky texture. If sauce appears too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Plate the pasta, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley. Serve immediately while the dish remains warm and creamy.
Notes
- Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to help adjust sauce consistency and enhance the creamy texture of the Alfredo.
- Break ground beef into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent clumping.
- Adjust garlic puree amount based on personal preference, or use fresh minced garlic for a more robust flavor profile.
- Simmer cream gently to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, silky sauce consistency.
- Remove skillet from heat before adding Parmesan to prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg