Creamy Beef Rotini Pasta is a rich and comforting meal combining spiral-shaped rotini pasta with seasoned beef, enveloped in a smooth, cheesy cream sauce. It’s a family-friendly dish that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this dish will become a favorite in your kitchen:
- Comfort food classic: A creamy pasta dish is always welcome, and the addition of beef makes it even more satisfying.
- Quick to make: This recipe can be ready in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Versatile: You can easily swap in other proteins, add vegetables, or adjust the cheese blend to your liking.
- Great for leftovers: The creamy sauce helps keep the pasta moist when reheated, making it perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
rotini pasta
ground beef or beef cubes
olive oil
onion, diced
garlic, minced
beef broth
heavy cream
cheddar cheese, shredded
mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese
salt
black pepper
fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Cook rotini pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Add beef; cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in beef broth and simmer for a few minutes.
- Lower heat and pour in the cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Toss in cooked pasta, coating well with the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Servings and timing
Serves 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Add mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes.
- Use ground turkey or chicken.
- Mix in sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
Storage/reheating
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of cream or broth.
FAQs
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes, penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work well.
Can I freeze this dish?
It’s not ideal, as cream sauces may separate.
Can I lighten it up?
Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free rotini and check that your broth is gluten-free.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, replace beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes, assemble the dish and reheat just before serving.
What herbs go well with this?
Parsley, thyme, or basil work nicely.
Can I add wine to the sauce?
Yes, deglaze the pan with white wine before adding broth.
How do I prevent the sauce from curdling?
Simmer gently and avoid high heat once the cream is added.
What sides pair well?
A crisp green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables.
Conclusion
Creamy Beef Rotini Pasta is a hearty, satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a family or sharing with friends. Its rich, cheesy sauce and tender beef make it a comfort food favorite that you’ll want to make again and again.
PrintCreamy Beef Rotini Pasta
Creamy Beef Rotini Pasta is a rich and comforting meal combining spiral-shaped rotini pasta with seasoned beef, enveloped in a smooth, cheesy cream sauce. It’s a family-friendly dish that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- rotini pasta
- ground beef or beef cubes
- olive oil
- onion, diced
- garlic, minced
- beef broth
- heavy cream
- cheddar cheese, shredded
- mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook rotini pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Add beef; cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in beef broth and simmer for a few minutes.
- Lower heat and pour in the cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Toss in cooked pasta, coating well with the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- For extra nutrition, add mushrooms or spinach.
- If you prefer a spicy version, add red pepper flakes.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers can be added for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free rotini and check that the broth is gluten-free.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and reheated just before serving.
- Herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil pair well with the dish.
- If you like, deglaze the pan with white wine before adding the broth for a richer flavor.
- To prevent the sauce from curdling, simmer gently and avoid high heat once the cream is added.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg