Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish combining seasoned lean ground beef with a rich, silky Alfredo sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this simple one-pan recipe offers a flavorful, family-friendly meal that’s easy to customize with your favorite herbs, cheeses, or veggies.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Can be Gluten-Free with pasta substitution
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling your pasta in salted water until just al dente—the firmness is key to prevent mushiness once tossed in the creamy sauce. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for the sauce if needed.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the sauce from getting greasy.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the beef. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and let it cook until fragrant. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer before stirring in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and beef. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for color and serve immediately while warm and inviting.
Notes
- Don’t overcook pasta; aim for al dente as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Season in layers and adjust salt and pepper after combining all ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Creamy, Ground Beef, Alfredo, Pasta, Comfort Food, One-Pot, Easy Dinner, Family-Friendly