Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
A creamy and comforting Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta recipe combining tender pasta, rich homemade Alfredo sauce, and savory ground beef. Ready in under 30 minutes, this hearty Italian-inspired dish is perfect for busy weeknights and loved by the whole family.
- 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: Contains Dairy and Gluten
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Alfredo Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add butter and the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Cheese and Combine: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Mix Everything Together: Return the cooked pasta and browned ground beef to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother sauce texture.
- Cook pasta to al dente to retain firmness and texture.
- Drain excess grease from the browned beef to prevent a runny sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Simmer sauce gently without boiling to avoid curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta with beef, Alfredo sauce, family friendly pasta