Three Delicious Ground Beef Recipes: Mongolian Meatballs, Cheesy Melt & High-Protein Creamy Pasta
This creamy, high-protein pasta combines tender ground beef, fettuccine, Parmesan, and fresh spinach in a rich garlic cream sauce. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper until fully cooked.
- Push beef to one side and sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and gradually add Parmesan, mixing continuously until smooth.
- Add spinach and let it wilt, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Combine cooked fettuccine with creamy beef mixture, adding reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan for the best creamy flavor.
- Optional: Add crushed red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
- Can be made ahead and reheated gently on low heat, adding extra pasta water if needed.