Savory Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Whipping up a hearty beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce can turn an ordinary weeknight dinner into a culinary celebration.

Pasta lovers quickly fall in love with this creamy, flavor-packed dish that promises comfort in every bite.

Robust ground beef mingles with tender rotini, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Fragrant garlic and rich parmesan cheese weave magic through each forkful, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight cooking becomes effortless with this streamlined recipe that delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal preparation.

A single skillet delivers complex flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this irresistible meal that combines classic Italian inspiration with home-style comfort.

Why Beef And Rotini In Garlic Parmesan Sauce Works

• Create Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich garlic cream sauce, golden-browned ground beef, and a sprinkle of parmesan, this pasta delivers incredible taste in every single bite.
• Master One-Skillet Magic: Minimize cleanup by cooking everything in a single skillet, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef with chicken, adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's preferences.
• Perfect Weeknight Warrior: Quick to prepare with simple ingredients, this dish provides a satisfying meal that requires minimal cooking skills and delivers maximum flavor satisfaction.

Ingredients For Beef And Rotini In Garlic Parmesan Sauce

• Ground Beef: A rich, hearty protein that provides a savory base for the pasta dish and develops a golden crust when browned.

• Rotini Pasta: A spiral-shaped pasta that holds sauce exceptionally well and creates interesting texture in the dish.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious sauce base that coats the pasta with rich, creamy goodness.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté garlic and provides a subtle underlying flavor to the dish.
• Minced Garlic: Adds a deep, aromatic flavor that infuses the entire sauce with warmth and depth.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty note and creates a delightful cheesy finish to the pasta.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal essence to the dish.

How To Make Beef And Rotini With Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Step 1: Brown Beef

Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the meat transforms into a gorgeous golden brown with no pink remaining, which takes about 7-8 minutes.

Step 2: Remove Beef

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef, leaving behind the delicious drippings in the skillet.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic

Drop minced garlic into the skillet with olive oil. Stir quickly and cook for 30-45 seconds until the garlic releases its aromatic magic and turns light golden.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet. Whisk continuously to develop a silky smooth sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 5: Cook Pasta

Boil rotini pasta in a separate pot filled with salted water. Follow package instructions to achieve perfectly cooked al dente pasta, typically 8-10 minutes.

Step 6: Drain Pasta

Strain the pasta, but keep a small amount of pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency later.

Step 7: Combine Beef

Gently return the cooked beef into the creamy garlic sauce. Stir to ensure every morsel gets an even coating.

Step 8: Mix Pasta

Transfer the drained rotini directly into the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta gets completely embraced by the luscious sauce.

Step 9: Add Cheese

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the dish. Mix thoroughly to distribute the cheesy goodness evenly.

Step 10: Garnish

Scatter chopped fresh parsley across the top for a vibrant pop of color and herbal excitement.

Step 11: Serve Immediately

Plate the pasta right away while it’s steaming hot, allowing the incredible flavors to dance together in every single bite.

Pro Tips For Beef And Rotini Garlic Parmesan

• Boost Beef Flavor: Brown meat thoroughly to develop a golden crust, creating deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook rotini al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushy consistency and ensuring ideal sauce absorption.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic briefly on medium heat, watching carefully to achieve golden color without bitter scorching.
• Create Silky Sauce: Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping it cling smoothly to pasta for better coating.
• Enhance Final Touch: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley just before serving to maximize aromatic freshness and visual appeal.

Tasty Variations On Garlic Parmesan Rotini

• Lean Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat version that maintains similar flavor profiles and protein content.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Substitute ground meat with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty, meat-free alternative that keeps the creamy texture and rich taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rotini pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals while preserving the dish's core characteristics.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese to create a creamy, lactose-free version that's equally satisfying.

What To Serve With Garlic Parmesan Beef And Rotini

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, creamy beef pasta by cutting through its heaviness and enhancing the garlic's depth.
• Create Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, adding a refreshing contrast and introducing bright, tangy notes that cleanse the palate.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toast rustic Italian bread brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a crunchy texture and additional garlic flavor that harmonizes with the pasta's profile.

How To Store Beef And Rotini Pasta Dish

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent dryness, stirring gently until heated through.

Beef And Rotini Garlic Parmesan FAQs

• How do I prevent the ground beef from becoming tough?

Brown the beef over medium-high heat and avoid overcooking. Break it into small crumbles and let it develop a golden crust without stirring too frequently, which helps retain moisture and tender texture.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or shells. Choose pasta with ridges or curves that help hold the creamy sauce better.

• What if my sauce seems too thick or thin?

Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water to thin it out or letting it simmer longer to thicken. Start with small amounts of pasta water and stir continuously to achieve desired texture.

Beef And Rotini In Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce brings comfort and richness to classic Italian-American cuisine. Quick weeknight dinners find their perfect match in this creamy, savory pasta that promises satisfaction in every delicious bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Pasta:

• 12 oz rotini pasta

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into crumbles until no pink remains and a golden crust develops, approximately 7-8 minutes.
2. Remove the cooked beef using a slotted spoon, leaving behind the flavorful drippings in the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil for 30-45 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
4. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, rich sauce base, and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Cook rotini pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
6. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
7. Gently fold the cooked ground beef back into the creamy garlic sauce, ensuring even coating.
8. Add the drained rotini directly into the skillet, tossing to combine and thoroughly coat the pasta with the sauce.
9. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the dish, mixing to distribute evenly.
10. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and herbal freshness.
11. Serve immediately while hot, allowing the flavors to meld together in each delicious bite.

Notes

• Customize the meat by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
• Enhance the dish’s texture by toasting garlic slightly longer to develop a deeper, nuttier flavor profile.
• Make the sauce more luxurious by adding a splash of white wine before introducing the cream for extra depth.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting rotini with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg