Garlic Butter Beef Pasta (Print Version)

Rich garlic butter pasta with seasoned ground beef, Parmesan, and fresh parsley — a comforting weeknight favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

→ Meats

02 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dairy

06 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more for pasta water)
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining in a colander.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until deeply browned and no longer pink throughout, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess rendered fat if necessary.
03 - Add the finely chopped onion to the browned beef and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to let it brown.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt gently while stirring to emulsify with the beef and aromatics, creating a rich, glossy base.
05 - Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet. Toss vigorously to coat every strand in the garlic butter mixture, splashing in reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, clinging sauce.
06 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference before serving.
07 - Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnished with additional Parmesan and a scattering of fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in one skillet in under thirty minutes
  • The garlic butter sauce clings to every strand of pasta
  • Ground beef makes it hearty enough to satisfy everyone
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is the secret to a silky cohesive sauce
  • Minced garlic burns fast so keep the heat down once it hits the pan
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate Parmesan finely for better melting
  • Let the butter foam slightly for a nuttier flavor before adding pasta

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