Description
A comforting creamy beef pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners, combining lean ground beef, pasta, and a rich sauce for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz short cut pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well for even seasoning.
- Add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or increase the amount of vegetables used.
