Description
Succulent garlic parmesan beef with rigatoni brings Italian comfort to dinner tables. Hearty pasta combines with rich, savory meat and cheese for a satisfying meal passionate cooks love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 300 g (10 oz) rigatoni pasta
- ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Immerse rigatoni in heavily salted water, cooking until al dente. Reserve a cup of starchy liquid, then drain pasta thoroughly.
- Beef Sautéing: In a large skillet, aggressively brown ground beef over high heat, breaking meat into delicate crumbles. Drain excess fat, then season generously with herbs, salt, and cracked pepper.
- Sauce Creation: Melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, avoiding browning. Pour heavy cream, allowing the liquid to reduce and intensify, creating a luxurious base for the sauce.
- Cheese Integration: Whisk Parmesan into the cream, ensuring complete dissolution. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water, achieving a silky, velvety texture.
- Culinary Fusion: Combine beef, rigatoni, and creamy sauce in the skillet. Gently fold ingredients to ensure perfect coating and harmonious flavor distribution.
- Presentation: Plate the dish, garnishing with delicate parsley sprigs to add a fresh, vibrant accent to the rich, creamy composition.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Salt water generously and monitor cooking time closely to maintain al dente texture, ensuring rigatoni remains firm yet tender.
- Control Meat Moisture: Thoroughly drain excess beef fat after searing to prevent greasy sauce and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Manage Garlic Intensity: Sauté minced garlic gently to release aromatics without burning, which can create bitter undertones in the sauce.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water strategically to adjust sauce thickness, creating a smooth, clingy coating that perfectly embraces the rigatoni and beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 767
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg