Description
Creamy Parmesan Beef Fettuccine with Garlic Butter Sauce is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender ground beef cooked in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. Tossed with perfectly al dente fettuccine and topped with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley, this dish delivers satisfying flavors in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until fully browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
- Combine beef and pasta: Return the browned ground beef to the skillet, then add the cooked fettuccine. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Mix until all the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a smoother coating.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative to beef.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best flavor and melts more smoothly than pre-grated cheese.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free fettuccine pasta.