Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef is a rich, hearty, and comforting dish that combines tender pasta, flavorful ground beef, and a decadent garlic butter cheese sauce. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknights or indulgent weekends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A full, satisfying meal in one pot
• Comforting garlic butter sauce enhanced with melty cheese
• Quick and easy—ready in 30 minutes or less
• Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
• Kid-approved and family-friendly
• Easily customizable with veggies or spice
• A great twist on classic beef pasta
• Budget-friendly and makes generous portions
• Delicious leftovers
• No oven required

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Linguine pasta
• Ground beef
• Butter (unsalted)
• Fresh garlic (minced)
• Onion (optional, finely diced)
• Heavy cream or whole milk
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika or regular paprika
• Salt and black pepper
• Pasta water (reserved)
• Optional: red pepper flakes, parsley, spinach, or cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. Cook linguine in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef (and onion if using) until fully browned. Drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
3. Make garlic butter base: Push beef to one side of the skillet. Add butter and garlic to the cleared side, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Mix into the beef.
4. Create the sauce: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream (or milk). Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Combine: Add cooked linguine and toss to coat in the cheesy garlic butter sauce. Add pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15–20 minutes
• Total time: 25–30 minutes

Variations

• Spicy version: Add chili flakes or a dash of cayenne
• Veggie boost: Add spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes
• Cheesy upgrade: Stir in cream cheese or more shredded cheddar
• Creamier version: Use more heavy cream or add a splash of sour cream
• Low-carb option: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash

Storage/reheating

• Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce
• Freezing: Not recommended due to the dairy content, but you can freeze the cooked beef mixture separately

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne all work well.

What kind of cheese is best?

A mix of Parmesan for flavor and mozzarella for meltiness is ideal, but you can also try cheddar or provolone.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

Yes, but the sauce will be lighter. Whole milk works best.

Is this dish spicy?

Not by default. You can add red pepper flakes or hot paprika to add heat.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, store it in the fridge and reheat gently with added liquid to restore the sauce.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken?

Absolutely—both are great lean alternatives to beef.

What vegetables go well in this pasta?

Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes make great additions.

Can I skip the cheese?

You can reduce or skip the cheese for a lighter version, but it won’t be as creamy.

How do I prevent the sauce from getting too thick?

Reserve and add pasta water gradually until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Is this dish kid-friendly?

Yes, it’s creamy, cheesy, and flavorful without being overly spicy.

Conclusion

Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort food: creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and packed with flavor. It’s quick to make, easy to customize, and guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest crowd. Make it once, and it’s sure to become a regular favorite at your dinner table.

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