Description
This comforting and flavorful dish features rotini pasta tossed in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce combined with savory browned ground beef. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it balances cheesy richness with Italian seasoning and fresh parsley for garnish, delivering comforting textures and satisfying flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for a lighter alternative)
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions, typically 9 to 11 minutes, until al dente. Before draining, reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta well.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly to release the aroma but avoiding burning the garlic, which can impart bitterness.
- Create the Sauce: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the garlic and beef mixture, stirring to combine evenly. Gradually pour in the milk while continuously stirring to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens into a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted into the sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors and achieve a smooth, cheesy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained rotini pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water in 1 tablespoon increments until you reach your desired saucy consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the assembled dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- For a lighter protein option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing as it impacts the flavor.
- If the sauce is too thick, the reserved pasta water helps loosen it without diluting the taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a more authentic and creamy sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
