Description
Indulge in this comforting cheesy rotini pasta dish featuring garlic butter and savory browned ground beef. This recipe combines tender pasta with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a creamy, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta (can substitute with penne or fusilli)
Meat
- 1 pound Ground Beef (can replace with turkey or plant-based meat)
Butter & Garlic
- 4 tablespoons Butter (optional substitute: olive oil for a healthier twist)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Cheese
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or cheddar blend for flavor variation)
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional, omit for dairy-free)
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to preference)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (customize to taste)
Garnish
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander and reserve ½ cup of pasta water for later use.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until nicely browned. Drain excess fat from the skillet and season the beef with salt and black pepper.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: Lower the skillet heat to medium-low. Add butter and let it melt, then stir in the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add Reserved Pasta Water: Pour a splash of the reserved pasta water into the skillet. This helps create a silky sauce when combined with the melted cheese.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Gently fold in the drained rotini pasta and browned beef into the skillet, tossing everything to evenly coat with the garlic butter.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese continuously until the cheeses melt completely and form a creamy sauce that envelops the pasta and beef.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, immediately after cooking. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute butter with olive oil.
- To make this dish dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese and use vegan mozzarella.
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps in creating a smooth, creamy sauce when combined with cheese and butter.
- Adjust salt and pepper based on dietary needs and taste preferences.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and fresh flavor but is optional.
