Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring tender ground beef combined with a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce. This hearty pasta meal balances creamy texture with savory flavors, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep option that the whole family will enjoy.
- Author: Kaeli
- 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: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
Dairy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Produce
Pasta & Grains
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Pinch of Italian herbs (oregano or basil)
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while preparing the sauce and beef.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat if necessary.
- Prepare the Alfredo sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring gently. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Combine beef and sauce: Return the browned ground beef to the skillet and stir it into the creamy Alfredo sauce. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Toss with pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat every piece with the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional Italian herbs as desired before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm to avoid mushiness when combined with the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a better melting texture and richer flavor.
- Adjust the cream and milk quantities to control the thickness of the Alfredo sauce according to your preference.
- Drain excess fat from the cooked beef carefully to keep the dish balanced and not overly greasy.
- Allow the sauce to rest off the heat for 1-2 minutes to thicken before tossing with pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: ground beef, Alfredo pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner