Description
Indulge in a comforting and creamy pasta dish with this recipe for Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni. Tender rigatoni pasta coated in a rich and cheesy sauce with savory ground beef makes for a satisfying meal that is perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred for flavor)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Aromatics – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef – Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Seasoning – Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes to enhance the flavor of the tomato paste.
- Prepare the Sauce – Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the Cheese – Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Add mozzarella for extra creaminess, stirring until smooth.
- Combine with Pasta – Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss until well coated with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish – Transfer the creamy beef rigatoni to serving plates and garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot with additional Parmesan on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni, Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food, Ground Beef Pasta, Italian Cuisine
