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Creamy Beef Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner made with ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato-cream sauce. A quick, cheesy weeknight meal the whole family will love!
When I was growing up Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni made a regular appearance in our house. And I completely understand why. Working all day, coming home to a house full of hungry people, and you need to figure out dinner fast.
But with just a little bit of planning you can get a similar meal on the table, that not only tastes a million times better, but is also so much better for you! You can know and trust all of the ingredients in it, and your family is still going to love it and go back for more.
Erin’s Notes
- Ready in about 30 minutes, start to finish — perfect for busy weeknights.
- Made with everyday pantry ingredients, no specialty items required.
- Rich, creamy tomato sauce that clings to every piece of pasta.
- A kid-friendly, picky-eater-approved dinner the whole family will ask for again.
- Easy to bulk up with extra veggies or swap the protein to fit what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: lean ground beef keeps the sauce from getting greasy, but any ground beef works, just drain off the extra fat after browning.
- Pasta shape: rotini is my go-to because the ridges hold onto the sauce, but any short cut pasta (penne, shells, cavatappi) works just as well.
- Cream cheese: this is what gives the sauce its signature creaminess. Cut it into small cubes before adding so it melts in smoothly and quickly.
- Tomato Sauce
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Seasonings: Salt & Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes
- Beef Broth
- Mozzarella Cheese
Creamy Beef Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz short cut pasta
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to the package directions.12 oz short cut pasta
- Add oil to a large skillet over high heat. Once hot at ground beef and onion. Break up the ground beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and the beef is no longer pink.1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 small onion
- Drain any fat from the pan. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.2 cloves garlic
- Mix in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, pepper flakes, tomato sauce and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 15 oz can tomato sauce, 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- Cut cream cheese into small cubes and add to the pan. Stir until it is completely melted.1 8 oz block cream cheese
- Add in cooked pasta and Mozzarella cheese. Stir until everything is evenly coated and the cheese is melted.1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Creamy Beef Pasta
- In a large skillet brown the ground beef and onion together. Once the onion is soft and the meat is cooked make sure to drain away any fat.
- I like to add the garlic for just a minute or two after the meat is cooked. This makes sure you get the flavor of the garlic and that is doesn’t burn.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Next mix in all the seasonings with the meat and pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Once the sauce has started to thicken slightly mix in the cream cheese until it is melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and Mozzarella to the pan and mix until everything is blended and the cheese is melted.
This beef pasta isn’t quite a one pot meal like a box mix, but it still takes the same amount of time and is so much better! This simple recipe is full of flavor and a huge hit at our house. I love how easy it is to make and I know what my family is eating. They are just happy for a comforting pasta dish that fills them up!
Recipe Variations
- Swap the cheese: I always make this with cream cheese, but I’ve also stirred in cheddar along with it for an even cheesier, sharper sauce.
- Swap the protein: ground turkey or ground chicken both work great in place of the ground beef.
- Add veggies: wilt in a few handfuls of spinach at the end, or brown mushrooms or bell peppers along with the ground beef to bulk up the dish.
- Adjust the heat: add a little extra red pepper flakes for more spice, or leave them out entirely for a milder, kid-friendly version.
What To Serve With Beef Pasta
This is a hearty and comforting pasta, but here are a few great side dish ideas to complete the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth or milk to loosen the sauce back up, since it will thicken as it sits.
This dish can be frozen, though as with most cream cheese-based sauces, the texture may be slightly less smooth after thawing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk, stirring well to help the sauce come back together.
This was so easy and SO good !!! It’s definitely kid friendly and 100% going to be a staple in my house! Thanks so much for the recipe.
This recipe sounds delicious but I’m not a fan of cream cheese. Could I use ricotta cheese in place of it? Thanks
I haven’t tried it that way, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work well and have great results.
Can this be frozen.?
Yes, you can freeze this
Will be doing this. Can you clarify on the tomato sauce? Did not see it in the ingredients but it’s mentioned in the procedure. What kind of tomato sauce and amount? Thank you.
The recipe card lists 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce. Just a store bought can, any brand works.