Name: Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 lb rigatoni pasta; 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred for flavor); 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred for flavor)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup beef broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Brown the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Incorporate Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes to enhance the flavor of the tomato paste.
Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Add the Cheese: Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Add mozzarella for extra creaminess, stirring until smooth.
Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss until well coated with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the creamy beef rigatoni to serving plates and garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot with additional Parmesan on the side.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
Calories: 520
Sugar: 4g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 3g