Description
A creamy pasta dish that combines tender rotini with seasoned ground beef in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. Hearty, flavorful, and easy enough for weeknights, yet indulgent enough for guests.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
1 pound ground beef (85/15 for flavor)
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Pasta:
12 ounces rotini pasta (about ¾ of a standard 16-ounce box)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk (warm)
1 cup chicken or beef broth (low sodium)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped)
Optional garnish: extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, cracked black pepper.
Instructions
Cook Pasta: Boil salted water, cook rotini until al dente (8–10 minutes). Drain, toss with olive oil, and set aside.
Brown Beef: Heat skillet, add beef, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook 6–7 minutes until browned. Drain fat and set aside.
Start Sauce: In same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour to form roux.
Add Liquids: Slowly add warm milk and broth while whisking. Cook until thickened (about 5 minutes).
Finish Sauce: Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning.
Combine: Add beef back to skillet. Toss in pasta until well coated.
Serve: Plate and garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and black pepper.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
Warm milk prevents lumps in the sauce.
Don’t overcook pasta—it will absorb sauce after mixing.
Keep heat low once cheese is added to prevent separation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet + Stove Top
- Cuisine: American / Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce, creamy beef rotini pasta, garlic parmesan pasta with beef, cheesy beef pasta, weeknight pasta dinner