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reamy garlic beef pasta served on white plate with fresh parsley garnish

Creamy Garlic Beef Pasta

Tender beef and perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, garlicky cream sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes for the ultimate comfort dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 560

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb beef thinly sliced (sirloin or flank steak)
  • 12 oz pasta fettuccine, linguine, or penne
  • 6 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil for cooking beef
  • Fresh parsley or basil optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • large skillet
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set drained pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then add thinly sliced beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove beef from skillet and set aside on a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, stirring frequently.
  4. Pour chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Keep heat at medium-low to prevent curdling.
  6. Add cooked beef back into the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Toss everything together until pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, if sauce needs to be loosened.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half. Ground beef can be used instead of sliced beef. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Leftovers store well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
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