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Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta
Daniel Hayes

20-Minute Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta

Savory ground beef tossed with spaghetti in a rich, silky garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (plus more as needed)
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: red pepper flakes

Equipment

  • Large Pot for pasta
  • Large Skillet (12-inch)
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate using a slotted spoon; leave drippings in skillet.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in ½ cup reserved pasta water, scraping up browned bits. Let bubble for 1 minute.
  4. Add drained pasta and cooked beef back to the skillet. Toss vigorously to coat. If sauce seems dry, add more pasta water a splash at a time until silky.
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan (if using) and parsley. Season with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan.

Notes

Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water; the starchy water is key to creating an emulsified sauce. Add more water as needed for desired consistency. For a creamy version, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream with the butter.