Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that checks all the boxes? This Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort food made with simple ingredients and bold flavor. Perfect for weeknights, this easy recipe is family-friendly, super filling, and comes together in just 30 minutes. With its creamy garlic butter sauce, juicy ground beef, and perfectly cooked rotini pasta, it’s one of those go-to dinner ideas you’ll make again and again. Whether you’re planning easy meals, craving a cozy weeknight dinner, or need hearty food ideas, this dish delivers every time.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1 lb ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Return the ground beef to the skillet and stir to coat in garlic butter.
5. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Stir in shredded cheese while everything is warm until it melts and coats the pasta evenly.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
8. Serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
Always reserve some pasta water—it’s the secret to a smooth, clingy sauce.
Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Don’t let the garlic brown—it turns bitter quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: easy dinner, pasta recipe, garlic butter, cheesy pasta, quick meals