Easy 30-Minute Garlic Beef Pasta Recipe: The Perfect Weeknight Dinner.
Introduction.
Let me tell you about the night I discovered my family’s favourite Garlic Beef Pasta.
I had just come home from work that Friday. You know how it feels when my kids follow me around the kitchen and ask me over and over again, “What’s for dinner?”
I checked the fridge and saw some ground beef, a box of pasta, and some garlic. This Garlic Beef Pasta is now my family’s most requested meal.
This is not just a regular weeknight dinner. As this pasta cooks, your kitchen fills with the aroma of an Italian restaurant. That smell can bring everyone to the table. I make this recipe all the time for busy nights. I’m sure you’ll love this recipe too. This pasta tastes like it took a lot of hard work to make, but it’s not. Sometimes the simplest dinners are the best.
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Ingredients.
Here's what you'll need to create this delicious garlic beef pasta:
- 1 pound ground beef. (80/20 blend works perfectly)
- 12 oz pasta. (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced. (don't skimp on this!)
- 1 medium onion, diced.
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained.
- 1 cup beef broth.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream.
- 1/4 cup tomato paste.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. (optional, but recommended)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
- 1 tablespoon butter.
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Kitchen Tools Required.
You probably have most of these tools already, which makes this recipe even more convenient:
- Large pot for boiling pasta.
- Large skillet or sauté pan.
- Wooden spoon or spatula.
- Colander for draining pasta.
- Sharp knife for chopping.
- Cutting board.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Garlic Beef Pasta.
Step 1: To boil the pasta, first bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding the required amount of salt. Place the pot on the stove and heat over high heat until the water boils. This will take a while, so it’s a good idea to do this as the first step while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2: To cook the beef, place a pot on the stove and add olive oil. Heat it over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Leave it undisturbed for the first 3 to 4 minutes. This will help it get a nice brown colour. Then stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Finally, add a little salt and pepper.
Step 3: Next, move the cooked beef to the side of the pan. Now add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes, until it is soft. Then add the minced garlic. Stir everything together and cook for an additional minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 4: Now, let’s make the sauce base. Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well for about a minute. Let it caramelise a bit. Then add the drained tomatoes and Italian seasoning; if you want it spicy, add red pepper flakes. Now mix everything well and cook together for a few minutes.
Step 5: By now, the pot of water you put on the stove in step 1 should be boiling. Now add your pasta to the pot of water and cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. Don’t overcook it—it should still be a little firm. That’s because it will overcook when we mix it with the sauce.
Step 6: Pour the beef broth into the pan with your beef mixture and let it simmer for about 3 minutes to combine all the ingredients. Then reduce the heat and slowly add the heavy cream. Now add the butter and stir until it is completely melted.
Step 7: Drain the pasta to combine all the ingredients. Before draining the pasta, save about half a cup of the starchy water in which the pasta was cooked. Now add the drained pasta to the pan with the beef mixture. Mix everything well. If your sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 8: As a final step, remove the pan from the heat and add half the Parmesan cheese and most of the parsley. Now give everything a final stir and taste. Add salt or pepper to taste, as needed.
Cooking Tips.
Here are my top three secrets for making this dish absolutely perfect every time.
Tip 1: Let the beef brown properly - When cooking the beef, let it cook for a few minutes without stirring. This will create a nice brown crust. It will give it a lot of flavour. If you stir it too much, it will evaporate and turn grey instead of browning. Then you will miss out on the best taste of this garlic beef pasta.
Tip 2: Remember to save some pasta water - Before draining your pasta, always keep about a cup of the cooking water. This water contains the starch from the pasta, and if your sauce is too thick, add a little of this water and stir. It helps the sauce to thin and the pasta to stick together, and it gives your pasta a nice look and taste.
Tip 3: Always use fresh garlic - For the best flavour in this garlic beef pasta, it is essential to use fresh garlic. Do not use garlic powder for this recipe. Always try to use freshly minced garlic, as it makes a significant difference in the flavour of this recipe.
If you enjoy pasta dishes, you might also like my French onion Pasta Recipe.
Reasons to Try This Recipe.
This Garlic Beef Pasta is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of beef and creamy garlic sauce is fantastic. It’s a meal that will please you and everyone who enjoys this dish without feeling too heavy.
The best thing about this Garlic Beef Pasta recipe is that it takes about 30 minutes to make. You don’t need any special cooking skills or special ingredients. Everything is simple, but the result is excellent.
You can modify this recipe to suit your taste. If you want to add vegetables to the Garlic Beef Pasta, consider adding mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. Also, if you don’t eat beef, you can use ground sausage or Italian sausage instead. You can even use different pasta shapes to change this recipe to your liking.
Healthier Swaps.
If you’re looking to lighten up this recipe, here are a few swaps that will still deliver the same flavour.
Swaps 1: Try Whole Wheat Pasta - For a healthier option, consider using whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta. It has more fibre and nutrients, and works well with beef sauce.
Swaps 2: Use Greek yoghurt instead of heavy cream - If you want to lighten up this garlic beef pasta, you can use plain Greek yoghurt instead of heavy cream. Use the same amount of yoghurt as you would heavy cream. Add it towards the end of the cooking process. Remember to keep the heat low. Otherwise, it will curdle. This swap reduces the calories in the Garlic beef pasta recipe and adds protein.
Swaps 3: Use ground turkey - If you want to reduce the fat in this recipe, ground turkey is a great substitute. Use the 93/7 variety. Turkey doesn’t have as much fat as beef, so use a tablespoon of olive oil when you cook it. This will give it a nice brown colour and help prevent it from sticking to the pan.
✅ Advantages of Garlic Beef Pasta Recipe.
This Garlic Beef Pasta recipe is perfect for me because it’s so quick. It only takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish, making it an excellent option for busy nights.
And it’s also easy on your wallet. Using simple ingredients like ground beef and pasta, you can feed a family of four on a budget.
And it’s one of everyone’s favourites. The creamy pasta is a hit with kids, and adults love the rich garlic and herb flavours. So no one in the family leaves the table hungry. It can also be reheated the next day for lunch or dinner, allowing the flavours to meld together and reach their full potential.
❌ Disadvantages of Garlic Beef Pasta Recipe.
Let’s be honest about the cons of this recipe. Because every recipe has its drawbacks, this Garlic Beef Pasta is a high-carb dish. If you’re watching your carbs, consider eating smaller portions with a large side salad.
Additionally, it’s vibrant due to the cream and cheese added to it, so it’s not the best choice for a light meal. Think of this Garlic Beef Pasta as a delicious comfort food rather than a healthy meal. It can be high in salt. Be cautious if you’re watching your sodium intake, especially if you’re using store-bought beef broth and adding extra salt during cooking.
Conclusion.
This Garlic Beef Pasta is quick, delicious, and satisfying. This recipe is perfect for a busy day when you need a quick dinner. You don’t need any special cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients to create something truly delicious.
This recipe demonstrates that simple food can be delicious. Try making it this week. You’ll be making it again and again, just like I do. This Garlic beef pasta recipe has now become a regular dinner for me, and I’m sure you will too.
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FAQs.
1. Question: What type of pasta should I use for this recipe?
- Answer: Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or shells are great because they hold up well to the creamy sauce, but you can use any pasta you have at home. Even spaghetti from your pantry works well.
2. Question: Can I make this ahead of time?
- Answer: Yes! You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time. Cook the beef mixture as directed in the previous step and refrigerate. When you are ready to eat, cook the fresh pasta and mix everything. You can make the entire dish ahead of time and reheat it later if you prefer.
3. Question: What should I do if my sauce is too thick or too thin?
- Answer: If your sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water. If it is too thin, cook uncovered for a little longer to allow the liquid to evaporate. You can also stir in an additional tablespoon of tomato paste to thicken the sauce.
4. Question: Can I use a different type of meat?
- Answer: Yes! You can use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage as a substitute for the beef in this recipe. Keep in mind that turkey and chicken cook a little faster than beef, so be careful not to overcook them.