Description
Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef is the ultimate comfort food that brings together tender rigatoni pasta, rich garlic butter, hearty seasoned ground beef, and a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce. It’s a quick dinner idea you can whip up in under 30 minutes—perfect for easy weeknight meals, indulgent weekend cravings, or when you just want something that tastes like it took all day. Whether you’re hunting for easy recipes, pasta dinner ideas, or a satisfying food idea for the family, this dish checks every box. A cozy, satisfying, and totally irresistible meal that’s always a hit.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound ground beef
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Cook until fully browned, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
4. Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Gradually stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add remaining Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir until smooth and creamy.
6. Return beef to the skillet and mix into the sauce.
7. Add drained rigatoni and toss until evenly coated. Use a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese—it melts smoother and tastes richer than pre-shredded.
Don’t forget to save pasta water—it helps adjust the sauce’s thickness perfectly.
Let the pasta rest for a minute before serving so the sauce clings better.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, garlic butter pasta, beef pasta, easy pasta recipe