Garlic Parmesan Beef With Rigatoni Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Beef with Rigatoni Recipe Creamiest Bite

Crafting an irresistible garlic parmesan beef with rigatoni signals the start of a culinary adventure that beckons taste buds.

Robust flavors dance through each tender pasta strand, promising satisfaction with every single bite.

Rich, savory aromas will fill your kitchen when you combine these incredible ingredients.

Pasta nights never looked so elegant or tasted so incredible.

Hearty protein meets creamy cheese in a match made for serious comfort food lovers.

Italian-inspired comfort comes together quickly, making this dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated recipe that brings restaurant-quality magic directly to your dining table.

Garlic Parmesan Beef with Rigatoni and Bold Flavor

  • A Delightful Weeknight Winner
  • This recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
  • From start to finish, you can prepare this hearty meal in just 30 minutes, ideal for hectic evenings when time is precious and hunger is real.
  • Creamy, cheesy, and packed with familiar flavors, this dish appeals to both kids and adults, transforming dinnertime into a crowd-pleasing experience that everyone will enjoy.
  • The recipe allows easy customization by swapping ground beef for ground turkey or adding extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences.

What Goes Into Garlic Parmesan Beef Rigatoni

Pasta:
  • Rigatoni: Large, ridged pasta perfect for catching creamy sauces and holding meat, best when cooked al dente.
Main Protein:
  • Ground Beef, Beef Stew Meat: Rich and hearty protein that provides depth of flavor, choose meat with moderate fat content for juiciness.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy base that creates a luxurious sauce, select high-quality Parmesan for best flavor, fresh grated preferred.
Seasoning Components:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Essential for layering flavor, enhances overall taste profile of the dish.
Aromatics:
  • Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor, fresh minced garlic recommended for strongest taste.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb that adds color and fresh herbaceous note, chopped just before serving.
Water Component:
  • Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps adjust sauce consistency, reserve before draining pasta.

Directions for Cooking Beef Rigatoni with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Grab a large pot and fill with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Once water is bubbling wildly, drop in rigatoni. Cook until pasta reaches that perfect tender-but-firm stage. Drain pasta, keeping a cup of pasta water on standby for later magic.

Step 2: Brown Beef

Heat a skillet to medium-high. Toss in ground beef and break it into delicious crumbles. Stir occasionally until meat turns a gorgeous golden brown. Drain extra fat, then sprinkle with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Italian seasoning

Step 3: Create Creamy Garlic Sauce

Melt butter in the same skillet. Toss in minced garlic and dance it around for a minute until it releases its amazing aroma. Pour in heavy cream and let it bubble gently. Watch the sauce start to thicken like a culinary miracle. Fold in Parmesan cheese until it melts into silky smoothness. If sauce gets too thick, splash in reserved pasta water.

Step 4: Marry Beef and Pasta

Slide cooked rigatoni into the skillet. Gently toss everything together so each pasta tube gets coated in the luxurious sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings to make your taste buds dance.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Scoop the steaming mixture into bowls. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up.

Key Tips for Balancing Garlic and Creamy Parmesan

  • Boost Pasta Perfection: Choose rigatoni with ridges to help the creamy sauce cling better to each piece.
  • Customize Meat Selection: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option that still delivers amazing flavor.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Keep reserved pasta water nearby to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring a silky smooth texture every time.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast minced garlic briefly in butter before adding cream to release more aromatic compounds and intensify the overall taste profile.
  • Reduce Fat Smartly: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to create a lighter sauce without sacrificing richness and creaminess.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Garlic Beef Rigatoni

  • Store leftover Garlic Parmesan Beef with Rigatoni in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Cover the pasta with plastic wrap or a lid to maintain moisture and prevent the sauce from forming a dry film on top.
  • Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent the beef from becoming tough.
  • Limit microwave reheating as it can make the pasta rubbery and cause the sauce to separate, potentially losing the delicious original texture and flavor.

Foods That Complement Garlic Parmesan Beef Rigatoni

  • Choose a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, creamy beef pasta. The wine's tannins will cut through the heavy sauce and enhance the garlic and Parmesan flavors.
  • Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pasta. The peppery greens and tangy dressing will provide a fresh contrast to the creamy dish.
  • Prepare toasted Italian bread rubbed with fresh garlic and drizzled with olive oil. The crunchy texture and additional garlic notes will perfectly echo the dish's flavor profile and help soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Prepare a side of roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil and sea salt. The caramelized vegetables will add nutritional balance and a slightly charred element to the meal.

Simple Swaps for Your Garlic Parmesan Pasta Dish

  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap rigatoni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
  • Low-Carb Protein Bowl: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice. Use lean ground turkey or chicken as a protein alternative and swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream.
  • Vegetarian Herb Sensation: Substitute beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu. Add extra mushrooms or lentils for texture and protein. Use vegetable broth instead of meat drippings to enhance flavor.
  • Dairy-Free Creamy Option: Replace Parmesan and heavy cream with nutritional yeast and unsweetened almond milk. Use olive oil instead of butter and add cashew cream for richness. Incorporate nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor profile without dairy.
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Garlic Parmesan Beef With Rigatoni Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Beef With Rigatoni Recipe


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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent garlic parmesan beef with rigatoni promises a flavor explosion that whisks diners straight to Italian comfort. Rich pasta intertwines with savory beef, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream

Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings:

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)

Pasta:

  • 300 g (10 oz) rigatoni pasta

Cooking Liquid:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare rigatoni in a generously salted water bath, cooking until tender yet firm. Drain pasta, preserving a cup of starchy liquid for potential sauce adjustments.
  2. Sear ground beef in a spacious skillet over robust heat, fragmenting meat while cooking. Eliminate excess grease, then season with aromatic herbs, salt, and cracked pepper.
  3. Create a luxurious sauce by gently melting butter and introducing minced garlic. Allow aromatics to release fragrance without scorching. Introduce heavy cream, allowing liquid to gently reduce and concentrate flavors.
  4. Incorporate grated Parmesan, whisking until cheese dissolves completely into cream. Modulate sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water as needed, creating a silky smooth texture.
  5. Merge cooked beef, rigatoni, and velvety sauce in the skillet. Carefully fold ingredients, ensuring uniform coating and balanced flavor distribution.
  6. Transfer to serving vessels, crowning the dish with delicate parsley sprigs. The verdant garnish provides visual appeal and subtle herbaceous undertones to the rich, creamy ensemble.

Notes

  • Select lean ground beef for a healthier version, which reduces overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
  • Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or milk to create a lighter sauce without compromising creamy texture.
  • Use gluten-free rigatoni for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the dish remains accessible to more dietary needs.
  • Enhance protein content by adding extra vegetables like spinach or roasted bell peppers directly into the sauce for increased nutritional value.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 680
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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