Description
A comforting and creamy Beef and Rotini pasta dish cooked in a flavorful garlic parmesan sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
Beef and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for a lighter alternative)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Brown for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté over medium heat for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Create the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the beef and garlic, stirring to combine. Gradually add milk while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese followed by Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add drained rotini to the skillet. Toss the pasta in the sauce to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency perfectly.
- Be cautious when sautéing garlic to prevent burning which can impart bitterness.
- Serve this dish immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its best.
