One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe Easy

There’s something magical about a skillet full of tender beef, garlic-scented butter, and pasta all tangled together in creamy bliss. One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is exactly what you need when dinner has to happen fast but still feel like a real mealno draining, no extra dishes, just pure comfort in less than thirty minutes.

I started making this back in 2019 when my neighbor brought over ground beef from a local ranchit was so fresh, the kitchen smelled like a steakhouse while it browned. The trick I learned from testing it a dozen times? Let the pasta cook right in the broth so it soaks up all that garlicky richness instead of plain water. My kids still ask for “the buttery noodle pan” at least twice a week, and I never say no.

Yesica Andrews

One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe Easy

This One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is an effortless and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender ground beef, rich heavy cream, and savory garlic butter, this dish delivers comfort and flavor in a single skillet. Enjoy a creamy pasta dinner that’s quick to make and sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces pasta (penne or spaghetti works well)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh chopped parsley

Method

 

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper; stir well.
6. Pour in beef broth, scraping the skillet bottom to loosen browned bits.
7. Slowly add heavy cream and stir to combine; bring to a gentle simmer.
8. Add pasta and press it down to submerge fully in the sauce.
9. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Once pasta is tender and sauce thickened, stir in grated Parmesan until melted.
11. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish for a fresh finish.
12. Serve hot, optionally accompanied by garlic bread or salad.

Notes

• For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth or cream if sauce thickens.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s what makes this dinner a weeknight hero: everything happens in one pan, which means less time scrubbing dishes and more time actually sitting down to eat. The ground beef gets so tender and flavorful as it simmers with the pasta, and that garlic butter coats every noodle like a warm hug.

• Crazy simple: No fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredientsjust straightforward cooking that works every time
• Rich and cozy: Heavy cream and Parmesan create that restaurant-style sauce you crave on chilly evenings
• Family-approved: Even picky eaters go back for seconds when pasta is this creamy and garlicky
• One pot wonder: The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that beefy, buttery goodness instead of plain water

Ingredient Notes & Shopping Tips

Shopping for this dish is refreshingly easyeverything comes from the regular grocery aisles. I always grab ground beef that’s 85% lean; it has enough fat to keep things juicy without making the sauce greasy. Fresh garlic makes a noticeable difference here, so skip the jarred stuff if you can.

For the pasta, penne holds the creamy sauce beautifully in its little ridges, but spaghetti works just as well if that’s what you have on hand. The beef broth adds depth that water just can’t match, and don’t worry about buying fancy stockthe regular carton from the soup aisle does the job perfectly.

How the Magic Happens

The secret to this One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is letting the pasta cook directly in the sauce. As the noodles simmer, they release starch that naturally thickens everything into that luscious, clingy texture you want. Browning the beef in butter instead of oil adds an extra layer of richness right from the start.

When you add the garlic, keep your wooden spoon moving and your nose alertyou want it fragrant and golden, not brown and bitter. That 1-2 minute window makes all the difference. Once the beef broth and heavy cream go in, the pan transforms into a bubbling pot of comfort. Just make sure the pasta stays submerged so it cooks evenly, giving it a gentle stir every few minutes.

Pro Tip: Scrape up those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan when you add the broththey’re pure flavor gold and will melt right into your sauce.

Timing Breakdown

Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

If your sauce looks too thick after the pasta cooks, just splash in a little extra beef broth or even some pasta water if you have any saved, and stir until it loosens up. On the flip side, if things seem soupy, let it simmer uncovered for an extra 2-3 minutesthe liquid will reduce and the sauce will tighten right up.

• Pasta sticking? Make sure you’re stirring every few minutes and that the noodles stay covered by liquid
• Sauce breaking or looking oily? Lower your heat to a gentle simmer and whisk in the Parmesan slowly
• Not enough garlic flavor? Toss in an extra clove next time, or stir in a pinch of garlic powder at the end

Serving & Storage Ideas

This dish is wonderful straight from the skillet, served family-style with garlic bread or a simple green salad on the side. I love pairing it with steamed broccoli or roasted green beans to add a little freshness and color to the plate.

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat, add a splash of beef broth or milk to bring back that creamy texturethe pasta soaks up the sauce as it sits, so it needs a little extra moisture to loosen up again.

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FAQs (One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta)

Your Cozy One-Pan Victory

This One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta comes together in about twenty-five minutes, and honestly? The way that garlic butter melts into every noodle makes it worth every single bite. You’ll love how it turns outrich, comforting, and absolutely satisfying without a sink full of dishes waiting for you.

Want to switch things up? Toss in some baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes during the last few minutes for extra flavor and color. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a gentle kick if your crew likes a little heat. My grandma always said the best meals are the ones you can tweak with what’s already in your pantry, and this one’s perfect for that kind of kitchen freedom.

I’d love to hear how yours turned outdid your family go back for seconds? Snap a photo and share it, or tell me what you stirred in to make it your own. This recipe is a keeper, so pin it, bookmark it, and come back to it whenever you need dinner to feel like a warm hug on a busy night.