Description

Craving something rich, cozy, and absolutely mouthwatering? This Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef hits the spot. Tender pasta coated in a garlic-butter cream sauce, melted cheese, and juicy ground beef makes it the ultimate quick dinner idea. Perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, or when you just need a bowl of something hearty and delicious. This easy recipe is a go-to comfort food loaded with flavor, texture, and cheesy goodness. Great for leftovers and pairs beautifully with salads or garlic bread—truly one of the best dinner ideas for any season!

Ingredients

16 oz rigatoni pasta

1 lb ground beef

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 tbsp butter

1 cup heavy cream

4 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 1–2 minutes).

4. Lower the heat. Stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth and well-blended.

5. Return the beef and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until everything is well coated in the sauce.

6. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top. Cover and let it melt for 2–3 minutes.

7. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For an extra cheesy layer, broil for 2 minutes at the end.

To make it lighter, swap heavy cream with half-and-half.

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 620
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: easy recipe, dinner ideas, pasta dinner, garlic butter pasta, cheesy rigatoni, comfort food, quick dinner