Description
A rich and creamy ground beef Alfredo pasta featuring tender fettuccine tossed in a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce, enriched with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. This hearty American-Italian inspired main dish combines savory browned ground beef with a buttery garlic cream sauce for a comforting meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rotini)
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy and Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to be added later into the sauce.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up continuously until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness.
- Sauté Seasonings: Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the spices are well combined.
- Add Butter and Cream: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in butter and allow it to melt completely. Then pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously and letting it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Melt Cheeses: Gradually add the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella while stirring the sauce until the cheeses melt fully and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy Alfredo mixture.
- Final Simmer: Let the pasta and sauce simmer together for 1–2 minutes more to warm through and allow flavors to meld perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach for extra veggies and nutrients.
- This recipe is versatile and works great with ground turkey or Italian sausage as well.
