One Pot Beef & Garlic Butter Pasta (20 Minutes!)

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Looking for quick dinner ideas that don’t sacrifice flavor? This One Pot Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta is your answer to busy weeknights. Combining tender ground beef with buttery garlic pasta in a single pot, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort and cleanup. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s become one of my go-to easy hamburger meat recipes when time is tight but cravings are real.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This one pot wonder checks all the boxes for perfect weeknight cooking. The ground beef browns beautifully while the pasta cooks directly in savory chicken broth, absorbing every bit of flavor. The garlic butter sauce ties everything together with rich, aromatic notes that make this dish irresistible. Best of all? You only dirty one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

Whether you’re searching for healthy dinner recipes or lazy dinners that still impress, this recipe delivers. It’s budget-friendly, uses pantry staples, and comes together faster than ordering takeout. Plus, the technique works with various pasta shapes and ground meats, so you can customize it to your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient Tips

Ground Beef: An 80/20 fat ratio provides the best flavor and moisture. Leaner beef works but may result in a drier dish. You can also substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken recipes for a lighter version.

Pasta Choice: Cavatappi’s spiral shape holds sauce beautifully, but penne, rigatoni, or shells work equally well. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti for this one-pot method.

Broth Quality: Use good-quality chicken broth for the best results. The pasta absorbs the liquid, so flavorful broth directly impacts the final taste.

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or pot with lid (12-inch diameter minimum)
• Chef’s knife for prep
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen utensils (spatula or wooden spoon)
• Garlic press (optional but helpful)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat your large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and nicely browned. The browning creates flavorful bits on the pan bottom that will enhance your sauce. Once cooked, drain excess grease and transfer beef to a plate.

Step 2: Create the Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once bubbling, add the minced garlic (a garlic press makes quick work of this). Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The butter should be fragrant and the garlic lightly golden.

Step 3: Season the Beef

Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir everything together using your kitchen utensils, ensuring the beef is evenly coated with the aromatic seasonings and garlic butter.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Broth

Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, then add the uncooked pasta. Using a spoon, push the pasta down so it’s completely submerged in the liquid. This ensures even cooking. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5: Cook Until Tender

Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb most of the liquid and become tender. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash more broth.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Remove from heat once the pasta reaches your desired tenderness. The sauce should be slightly creamy from the starch released by the pasta. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Pro Tips for Success

Don’t Skip the Drain: Always drain excess grease from the ground beef. Too much fat can make your sauce greasy rather than silky.

Stir Regularly: Pasta can stick to the bottom when cooked this way. Stirring every few minutes prevents burning and ensures even cooking.

Adjust Liquid: Different pasta brands absorb liquid differently. Keep extra broth handy to add if needed.

Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly. Grate your own using a food processor or box grater for best results.

Customize Heat: Add red pepper flakes with the seasonings for a spicy kick.

Variations to Try

Italian Style: Add Italian sausage along with the beef and finish with fresh basil and mozzarella.

Creamy Version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Veggie-Loaded: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach with the broth.

Mexican Twist: Use taco seasoning instead of the spice blend and top with cheddar and sour cream.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta may absorb more liquid as it sits, so add a splash of broth when reheating. Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between.

This dish doesn’t freeze particularly well due to the pasta texture, but if needed, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This recipe serves 4-6 people depending on portion size. One serving contains approximately 450-500 calories, 22g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It provides a balanced meal with protein from beef, energy from pasta, and essential nutrients from garlic and seasonings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, pork, or Italian sausage all work well. Adjust cooking time as needed poultry may cook slightly faster than beef.

What if I don’t have cavatappi pasta?
Any short pasta shape works: penne, rigatoni, rotini, shells, or bow ties. Avoid long pasta as it won’t cook evenly in one pot.

Can I make this ahead?
While best served fresh, you can prep ingredients in advance. Brown the beef and store it separately, then complete the dish when ready to eat.

How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
Stir every 3-4 minutes and ensure pasta stays submerged in liquid. If it starts to stick, add a bit more broth.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Use the sauté function to brown beef and create garlic butter, then pressure cook with pasta and broth for 4 minutes with quick release.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Very! The mild garlic butter flavor appeals to most palates. Reduce or omit black pepper for very young children.

What sides go well with this dish?
A simple green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables complement this pasta perfectly. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this one pot wonder lies in its cooking method. By browning the beef first, you create fond (those flavorful browned bits) on the pan bottom. The garlic butter then deglazes the pan while infusing the dish with aromatic richness. When you add the pasta directly to the broth, it releases starch as it cooks, naturally thickening the sauce without additional cream or flour.

The combination of garlic powder and fresh garlic provides layers of flavor the powder offers depth while fresh garlic contributes brightness. Mustard powder might seem unusual, but it adds subtle complexity that enhances the beef’s savory notes without being identifiable.

Using chicken broth instead of water transforms this from basic to exceptional. The pasta absorbs the seasoned liquid, becoming flavorful from the inside out. This technique, borrowed from risotto making, ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned.

Make It Your Own

Don’t be afraid to experiment with this versatile recipe. Try different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Asiago. Add sun-dried tomatoes for tangy sweetness or artichoke hearts for Mediterranean flair. Fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary can replace or complement the parsley garnish.

For those following specific diets, this recipe adapts easily. Use gluten-free pasta and check that your broth is certified gluten-free. For lower-carb versions, replace pasta with cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles (though cooking time will differ). Dairy-free? Skip the butter for olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.

Final Thoughts

This One Pot Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta proves that easy meals with ground beef don’t have to be boring. When you need dinner ideas with ground beef that come together quickly without sacrificing flavor, this recipe delivers every time. The combination of tender pasta, savory beef, and aromatic garlic butter creates comfort food magic in just one pan.

Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, meal prepping for the week, or simply need quick and easy dinner recipes after a long day, this dish has you covered. The minimal cleanup makes it perfect for those lazy dinners when washing dishes feels impossible.

Try this recipe tonight and discover why it’s become a staple in kitchens everywhere. Once you master the technique, you’ll find yourself turning to this foolproof method again and again, adapting it with whatever ingredients you have on hand.

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