Luscious Creamy Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Rich, velvety cheese envelops tender pasta and succulent beef in a luxurious embrace.

The garlic infuses each bite with deep, aromatic warmth that awakens your senses.

Layers of parmesan create a salty, complex backdrop to the hearty protein.

Home cooks adore how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation make this recipe a weeknight champion.

Prepare to transform an ordinary evening into a delectable dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 565 kcal

Servings: 4

Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce Ingredients

• Rotini Pasta: Twisty pasta shape that catches sauce perfectly, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture and flavor.

• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef provides rich meaty flavor, select 85% lean for balanced taste and moisture.

• Butter: Creates silky base for sauce, use unsalted for better control of overall saltiness.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and complexity to sauce, select low-sodium version for balanced seasoning.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and smooth consistency, opt for fresh, high-fat content cream.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, nutty flavor profile, choose freshly grated for most intense taste.

• Garlic: Offers intense, aromatic flavor, select fresh cloves for most robust taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall dish flavor, use kosher or sea salt for best results.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides maximum flavor.

• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh note to finished dish, select vibrant green leaves.

Tools to Prep Beef and Rotini in Creamy Sauce

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and ensuring even cooking.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large Skillet: Versatile pan for browning beef and creating the creamy sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add precise amounts of butter, salt, and pepper.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for grating fresh parmesan cheese for maximum flavor.
• Garlic Press (optional): Helps mince garlic quickly and evenly.
• Kitchen Knife: For chopping parsley garnish and preparing ingredients.

Cook Garlic Parmesan Sauce with Beef and Rotini Just Right

• Boil Pasta

Get a big pot of water bubbling with salt. Drop in rotini and cook until perfectly tender. Drain the pasta, keeping a splash of the cooking water for later, and set it aside.

• Brown the Meat

Melt butter in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in ground beef and break it up while cooking until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.

• Craft Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, add another knob of butter. Toss in garlic and let it sizzle briefly without burning. Pour in chicken broth and cream, stirring everything together. Let it bubble and thicken for a few minutes.

• Blend Everything Together

Mix the cooked beef back into the sauce. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese and watch it melt into a silky coating. Fold the rotini into the skillet, ensuring every piece gets covered in the luscious sauce. If it looks too thick, splash in some saved pasta water.

• Plate and Enjoy

Serve this comfort food right away. Sprinkle some fresh herbs on top if you’re feeling fancy. Dive into a plate of rich, creamy goodness that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Tips to Keep the Sauce Silky and Full of Flavor

• Keep the rotini al dente by testing a strand before draining – it should have a slight bite without being hard.
• Reserve pasta water helps thin and smooth out the sauce if it becomes too thick, creating a silky texture without losing flavor.
• Swap rotini for zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to make this dish keto-friendly and reduce overall carbohydrate content.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option that's more wallet-friendly without sacrificing taste.
• Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese to create a delicious lactose-free version that everyone can enjoy.

Serve This Pasta for Cozy Nights In

• Comfort Food Family Night: Create a cozy dinner experience by serving this dish with warm garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.
• Gourmet Twist Plating: Elevate the presentation by using a white ceramic plate, sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top, and add a fresh parsley garnish for a restaurant-quality look.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers for quick lunches during the week, as this dish reheats beautifully and maintains its creamy texture.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, garlicky flavors with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied red such as Chianti to enhance the overall dining experience.

Store Beef and Pasta for Lunches Later

• Transfer leftovers to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Cool the dish completely before sealing to maintain optimal taste and texture. Refrigerated beef and rotini will stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored properly.
• Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of chicken broth or milk while warming in the microwave or skillet. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out. Aim for gentle, slow reheating to keep the sauce creamy and beef tender.
• Portion the dish into freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Pro tip: Consider freezing sauce and pasta separately for best quality.
• Prepare extra ground beef during cooking to use in future recipes. Cooked beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 4 months. This strategy saves time and adds flexibility to your weekly meal planning.

FAQs

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Rotini is ideal because its spiral shape helps capture and hold the creamy garlic parmesan sauce, ensuring delicious flavor in every bite.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken can be great substitutes if you want a leaner protein option while maintaining similar cooking techniques.

• How do I prevent the garlic from burning during sauteing?

Keep the heat on medium and continuously stir the minced garlic. Cook it for only 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant but not brown, which prevents a bitter taste.

• Is it necessary to reserve pasta water?

Yes, pasta water contains starch that helps create a smoother, silkier sauce and can help adjust the sauce’s consistency if it becomes too thick during cooking.

Creamy Beef And Rotini In Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce emerges as a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish packed with rich flavors. Creamy parmesan sauce and tender beef create a satisfying meal that delivers warmth and classic comfort on your dinner plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340g) rotini pasta
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Extra Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a heavily salted water pot to vigorous boil. Submerge rotini and cook until al dente, roughly 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of starchy liquid for potential sauce modification.
2. Meat Sautéing: Heat skillet and melt butter over medium flame. Add ground beef, methodically breaking down protein while browning thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat.
3. Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt additional butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking continuously to create a smooth, integrated sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and develop rich flavors.
4. Combining Elements: Reintroduce seasoned beef to the sauce. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency. Fold in cooked rotini, ensuring complete coating and using reserved pasta water to adjust sauce thickness if needed.
5. Finishing Touch: Transfer to serving dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and herbaceous note. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook rotini precisely at 8-10 minutes for perfect al dente consistency, avoiding mushy or overly firm pasta.

Manage Beef Fat Effectively: Drain excess fat after browning ground beef to prevent greasy sauce and maintain clean, rich flavor profile.

Control Garlic Sautéing: Toast minced garlic quickly over moderate heat, watching carefully to prevent burning and creating bitter undertones.

Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute heavy cream with lighter alternatives like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for lower-calorie version, and use gluten-free rotini for celiac-friendly adaptation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 100mg