Cheesy Mozzarella Beef Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce
Ingredients:
8 oz penne pasta
3/4 lb ground beef
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/3 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 teaspoon paprika
1 cup heavy cream
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/3 cup shredded cheddar
1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 teaspoon dried basil
1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Directions:
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne, and cook until tender. Before draining, scoop out about one third cup of the pasta water and set it aside, then drain the pasta.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef, and cook while breaking it apart until nicely browned. Drain any excess grease if needed.
3. Add the minced garlic directly into the beef and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika and stir well.
4. Lower the heat slightly, pour in the heavy cream, and stir gently. Add the cream cheese and keep mixing until it melts smoothly into the cream.
5. Add the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes thick, creamy, and fully melted.
6. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and dried basil, then mix everything together.
7. Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss well so every piece is coated, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce while keeping it rich.
8. Let it cook together for another minute until the sauce clings nicely, then serve warm with the beef fully mixed into the creamy pasta.