Description

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly savory, Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce is the ultimate one-pan comfort food. This quick and easy recipe features tender ground beef, perfectly cooked rotini pasta, and a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce that clings to every twist of the noodle. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that satisfies with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
12 oz rotini pasta
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup milk
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh preferred)
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)

Optional:

½ cup chopped onion (sautéed with beef)
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Extra Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Boil rotini in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef (and onion, if using) until browned. Drain any excess grease.
Add Garlic & Butter:
Stir in butter and garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Make the Sauce:
Lower the heat. Add heavy cream and milk, stirring well. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combine & Finish:
Add cooked rotini to the skillet. Toss until pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish & Serve:
Top with fresh parsley or basil and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Add a splash of pasta water if sauce becomes too thick.

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Great with add-ins like spinach, peas, mushrooms, or red pepper flakes.

Want more garlic punch? Add a pinch of garlic powder.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner, One-Pot
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic parmesan pasta, ground beef pasta, rotini with cream sauce, easy skillet dinner, one-pot pasta