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Plate of rich Garlic Parmesan Beef with elbow macaroni and garnished with parsley

Rich Garlic Parmesan Beef with Elbow Macaroni

A simple, rich dish combining browned beef, creamy Parmesan sauce, and elbow macaroni. Perfect for weeknights and filled with comforting flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni You can swap for penne, rotini, or shells.
Beef Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef You can use ground turkey or shredded chicken as an alternative.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil Optional if the beef is lean.
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced For more garlic flavor, add garlic powder with the seasonings.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika Add more for extra heat if desired.
  • Salt & black pepper to taste Salt & black pepper
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream Light cream can be used, but sauce will be less rich.
  • 1/2 cup beef broth Or reserved pasta water.
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Use fresh for best melt and flavor.
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella Optional, for extra creaminess.
  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley Optional garnish.
  • Extra Parmesan Optional garnish.
  • Cracked black pepper Optional garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil (if using) and add ground beef. Cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Drain excess grease and set beef aside.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth, stirring to combine. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth. Add Parmesan and mozzarella, stirring until melted and smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add cooked macaroni and ground beef back into the skillet. Toss gently until everything is coated in the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  2. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Let the dish cool to room temperature before storing. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen the sauce.