Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that’s comforting, creamy, and totally irresistible? This Creamy Parmesan Beef Fettuccine with Garlic Butter Sauce is an easy dinner recipe that combines tender ground beef, silky fettuccine, and a rich garlic butter cream sauce that clings to every bite. Perfect for weeknights or when you need reliable food ideas for entertaining, this hearty pasta delivers bold flavor and restaurant-quality results—all in under 30 minutes. It’s one of those dinner ideas you’ll want to put on repeat. Whether you’re craving a cozy bowl of pasta or hunting for easy recipes that don’t compromise on taste, this one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
12 oz fettuccine pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce thickens.
6. Return beef to the skillet and add cooked fettuccine. Toss to combine.
7. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest and richest sauce.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps create a silky emulsion in the sauce.
Always cook garlic on medium heat to avoid bitterness from burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 ½ cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, creamy fettuccine, garlic butter sauce, ground beef pasta