Oh, cheesy penne with ground beef and garlic butter! Just saying that out loud makes me hungry. This dish is impossible to resist because it has savory garlic butter, juicy ground beef, and creamy cheese all in one. I often use this recipe when I want a meal that will make me feel good and fill me up without taking all day to make.
I remember the first time I made this for a small group of friends. I was worried that I wouldn’t impress anyone, but as we sat down to eat, all I could hear were forks scraping against bowls and people saying, “This is so good!” Sharing a meal that brought everyone together felt like a small victory. A big plate of pasta can make any normal night feel like a special occasion.
This recipe is not only tasty, but it’s also very easy to follow, making it a great choice for both new and experienced cooks. The cheese and garlic butter make a rich flavor that coats the penne perfectly, and the beef gives it the hearty protein punch we all want. So, let’s get into the world of cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef!
What goes into Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef?
Let’s take a look at the main ingredients in this dish before we start.
The star of our dish is penne pasta! Penne is shaped like a tube, which makes it great for holding sauce. Also, the texture makes it fun to chew. If you can find it, I suggest whole wheat penne because it has more fiber.
Ground Beef: I usually use lean ground beef (about 85% lean) because it has a good balance of flavor and richness without being too greasy. Turkey or plant-based ground meat can also work great if you want.
This isn’t just any butter; it’s garlic butter! The butter makes the dish richer, and the garlic gives it a flavor that is hard to resist. I use unsalted butter a lot because it lets me control the seasoning better.
Fresh garlic is a must! It gives the butter a savory, aromatic kick that goes well with it. You can use as much or as little garlic as you want, but trust me, you’ll want a lot!
Who doesn’t love cheese? Cheddar cheese is one of the best. Sharp cheddar melts well and adds a nice kick to the dish. You can add depth to it by mixing it with mozzarella or even a little parmesan.
Heavy cream: This may seem rich, but just a little bit adds a rich creaminess that makes the sauce feel like a treat. It does a great job of holding everything together.
A little salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning can really bring out the flavors. I also like to add a little heat with some red pepper flakes.
Fresh parsley not only adds color, but it also gives the dish a fresh contrast to its richness.
Is Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef Good for Your Health?
Cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef, like any other dish that tastes good, has its good and bad points when it comes to health.
Whole wheat penne pasta has more fiber and nutrients than refined penne pasta. It gives you a lot of energy and can help you feel full longer.
Ground beef is a good source of protein, iron, and B vitamins, all of which are important for muscle health and energy. If you’re trying to cut back on saturated fat, though, you might want to use lean ground beef or turkey instead.
Butter: Butter tastes good, but it also has a lot of saturated fat. Key is moderation! It might be good for your heart health to use less butter or replace some of it with olive oil.
Garlic: Garlic not only tastes good, but it also has health benefits, like lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Cheddar cheese has a lot of calories and fat, but it also has calcium. A little goes a long way in keeping the dish tasty without going overboard.
To sum up, cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you don’t eat too much of it or make some healthy changes to it. To make your meal complete, be sure to serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables.
Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef: What You Need
This recipe makes enough food for about four hungry people.
– 12 oz (about 340 g) of penne pasta – 1 lb (450 g) of lean ground beef – 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter for the garlic butter
– 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
– 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 1 cup of heavy cream
– 1 tsp of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper – 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
– Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
How do you make cheesy penne with ground beef and garlic butter?
Now it’s time to have some fun! Let’s start cooking. These easy steps will help you get a tasty meal ready to serve in no time!
1. **Bring the Penné to a boil:** Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil to begin. When the water is boiling, add a lot of salt to it. This is your chance to add flavor to the pasta. Follow the package directions to cook the penne pasta until it is al dente, which usually takes 10 to 12 minutes. Take the pasta out of the water and set it aside.
2. **Prepare the Ground Beef:** Put the butter in a big skillet and turn the heat to medium. Add the ground beef and cook it for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, until it is brown and cooked through. If you need to, get rid of any extra fat.
3. **Put in the Garlic:** After the beef is done cooking, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the garlic smells good. Don’t let it catch fire!
4. **Mix the cheese and cream together:** Add the heavy cream and stir to mix it in. Slowly add the cheddar cheese while stirring constantly until it melts and becomes creamy. The mixture will be thick and delicious!
5. **Add some flavor:** If you want it to be spicy, add the salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Taste and change the spices as needed.
6. **Add the Pasta:** Put the cooked penne into the skillet and mix it with the sauce until all the pasta is covered. Let it heat up for a few minutes so the flavors can mix.
7. **Serve and Decorate:** When everything is hot and bubbly, move some of it to bowls or plates. Add fresh parsley on top for a bright touch!
Serve It Up Your Way!
Now that you’ve made this tasty dish, let’s make it even better! Here are some ways to make your cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef even better:
– **Boost Your Veggies:** Add some sautéed vegetables, like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms, to make it healthier and more colorful. They go great with the cheese and beef.
– **Herbal Twists:** Try using fresh herbs! Adding basil, oregano, or even thyme to the dish can make it taste even better.
– **Different kinds of cheese:** You can mix different kinds of cheese to get a more complex flavor. For example, mozzarella adds stretchiness, and parmesan adds nuttiness.
– **How Crunchy It Is:** For extra crunch, like in a baked pasta dish, sprinkle some toasted breadcrumbs mixed with garlic and parsley on top of your dish.
– **Add More Spice:** If you like things spicy, you could add diced jalapeños while the food is cooking or a drizzle of hot sauce before serving.
Keep in mind that recipes are just suggestions, so feel free to change them up and make this dish your own!
As you sit down to eat with your family and friends, you might even see some happy dance moves happening. That’s right; food can make people happy and help them remember things. I want to make this dish again after writing this article, and I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out.
Thanks for coming along on this cooking journey with me! Get ready for a cheesy good time and let your taste buds rejoice. Have fun cooking, dear friend!
