Description

Creamy Parmesan Beef Linguine with Garlic Butter Sauce is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender ground beef, savory garlic and onion sautéed in butter, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this recipe combines al dente linguine with a smooth, flavorful sauce garnished with fresh herbs for an elegant touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine pasta

Meat and Dairy

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Herbs

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (optional)

Seasonings

1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Other

1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use. Set the cooked linguine aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and finely diced onion. Sauté until they become fragrant and the onions turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the garlic and onions. Cook until the beef is fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season the meat with salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked linguine directly into the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss gently to combine and coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or thyme if desired. Serve the linguine immediately, optionally topping with extra parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for added flavor.

Notes

Adjust salt to taste depending on the saltiness of the parmesan cheese used.
For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor.
If dairy-free alternatives are needed, substitute heavy cream and butter with suitable plant-based options, but note that this will change the flavor profile.
Reserve pasta water carefully, as it contains starch that helps thicken and bind the sauce better.

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

Keywords: Creamy Parmesan Beef Linguine, garlic butter sauce, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta recipe, Italian pasta dinner