Description
Master quick weeknight dinners! This 30-Minute Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta features perfectly browned ground beef, al dente spaghetti, and a luscious garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 8 oz spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add the 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and 6 cloves minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in the 1/2 cup beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to combine with the beef and garlic butter sauce. Stir in the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and the 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, making for a delicious quick lunch, though it's truly best enjoyed fresh.
- To bring leftovers back to life, gently warm them on the stovetop with a splash of extra beef broth or water to restore that creamy sauce and tender pasta texture.
- This hearty pasta shines as a complete meal, but a crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette or some warm garlic bread makes for perfect companions.
- Don't underestimate the magic of your reserved pasta water – its starch helps create a silky, emulsified sauce that truly clings to every strand of spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: food recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g