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Creamy One-Pan Marry Me Ground Beef Pasta

creamy one-pan marry me ground beef pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan pasta dish featuring ground beef, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce made with cream cheese and Parmesan. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 ounces penne pasta (or any short pasta)
  • 4 cups beef broth or stock (low sodium preferred)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir and cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
  4. Pour in beef broth and heavy cream (or milk). Add dry penne pasta directly into the pan. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is mostly submerged in liquid.
  5. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Pasta should be tender but al dente.
  6. Remove lid. Add softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Stir vigorously until cheese melts and sauce thickens, coating pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add more broth to loosen. If too thin, simmer uncovered longer. Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking. For lighter texture, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free version. Fresh cherry tomatoes can replace sun-dried tomatoes in summer.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/creamy-one-pan-marry-me-ground-beef-pasta-recipe-easy-and-delicious/