Description
If you’re craving something rich, savory, and absolutely satisfying, this Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef is the answer. Packed with flavor, this easy dinner recipe combines tender rigatoni, seasoned ground beef, and a velvety garlic butter cheese sauce for a dish that feels indulgent yet comes together fast. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, comfort food idea, or just new easy dinner recipes to try, this creamy pasta checks every box. It’s one of those dinner ideas that the whole family will ask for again and again.
Ingredients
450g rigatoni pasta
450g ground beef (80/20)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant (about 1–2 minutes).
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
4. Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, then add mozzarella and Parmesan gradually. Stir until melted and smooth.
5. Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce. Toss gently to coat, adding pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
6. Adjust seasoning if needed, let sit 2–3 minutes off heat to thicken.
7. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and your favorite side.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce.
Always reserve pasta water—it’s key to a velvety finish.
Let the dish sit for a couple minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken naturally.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: creamy rigatoni, garlic butter pasta, easy dinner, pasta with beef, cheesy rigatoni