Description
Craving a cozy, satisfying, and quick dinner that the whole family will love? This Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort meal—rich, cheesy, and loaded with flavor in every bite. Perfect for weeknights, this easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and uses simple ingredients you probably already have. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, quick pasta recipes, or something that reheats like a dream, this dish checks all the boxes for a hearty meal, kid-friendly food, and weeknight food ideas.
Ingredients
1 pound rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or parsley
½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat.
3. Lower the heat and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the cooked rotini to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the pasta. Cover with a lid and let the cheese melt, or broil for 2–3 minutes until golden.
6. Garnish with Parmesan and herbs. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and better flavor.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water—it’s the secret to a silky sauce.
Add a handful of spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrients and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: quick dinner, cheesy pasta, garlic butter, easy recipe, ground beef, pasta ideas