Description
This Garlic Butter Parmesan Spaghetti with Savory Beef is a rich, flavorful pasta dish combining tender ground beef with a buttery garlic sauce and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, it features perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a creamy, mildly spicy, and aromatic sauce finished with fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Beef and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Additional grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden but not browned, to avoid bitterness.
- Combine Beef with Sauce: Return the browned ground beef to the skillet and stir it into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring the beef is well coated with the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together on the heat until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy garlic butter sauce and the cheese has melted, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Fresh Parsley: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. This adds brightness and a fresh herbaceous note to the dish.
- Serve: Plate the spaghetti and beef mixture while hot. Top with additional grated Parmesan and extra parsley as desired for garnish and extra flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce and help it adhere to the spaghetti.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or omit them if you prefer no heat.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- For a lower fat version, use lean ground beef or swap for ground turkey.
