Description
This Indulgent Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter & Beef Comfort is a rich and satisfying dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Featuring tender rotini pasta enveloped in a creamy blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, combined with savory browned ground beef and aromatic garlic butter, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Simple to prepare and bursting with flavor, it’s an ideal meal for family or friends that comes together in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta (Substitutable with penne or fusilli)
Meat
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Can be replaced with turkey or plant-based meat)
Dairy & Butter
- 4 tablespoons Butter (Feel free to use olive oil for a healthier twist)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Try a cheddar blend for a flavor twist)
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Can be omitted for a dairy-free version)
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to preference)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (Customize to taste)
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley (Optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet and season the beef with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to the skillet to help loosen the sauce. Gently toss in the cooked rotini and browned beef, mixing everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated with the garlic butter.
- Add Cheese Sauce: Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses, continuously mixing until the cheeses melt completely and create a creamy, luscious sauce that coats the pasta and beef evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the cheesy rotini immediately while hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired to add a fresh, herbal note and appealing color contrast.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan cheese and use a dairy-free butter substitute.
- If preferred, olive oil can be used instead of butter for a healthier fat option.
- Adjust salt and pepper to your personal taste preference.
- Cheddar cheese blend can be used in place of mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
