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Ground Beef Penne in Cream Cheese Tomato Sauce Recipe

Ground Beef Penne in Cream Cheese Tomato Sauce Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 18 reviews

This Ground Beef Penne in Cream Cheese Tomato Sauce is a rich and comforting pasta dish that combines hearty ground beef with a luscious, creamy tomato sauce made from cream cheese, Velveeta, and a blend of melted cheeses. Flavored with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and a touch of red pepper flakes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, smoky, and mildly spicy notes, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings:

  • 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning (divided)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (divided)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper (divided)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (divided)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta:

  • 12 oz penne pasta

Cheeses and Dairy:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
  • 4 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 6 garlic cloves, minced (divided as 6 cloves in total, 1 minced with onion + 6 minced for sauce step)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced

Liquids and Sauce:

  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it into large chunks. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and slightly caramelized. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
  4. Add butter and garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Push the beef to the sides of the skillet and melt the butter in the center. Add additional minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Simmer with marinara: Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef and stir well. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes to combine flavors.
  6. Add cream and spices: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  7. Melt cream cheese and Velveeta: Add the cream cheese and Velveeta cubes a few at a time, stirring continuously until they melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  8. Add shredded cheeses: Gradually stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, mixing well after each addition until the sauce is thick and rich. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  9. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss until every piece of pasta is fully coated in the creamy tomato beef sauce.
  10. Rest and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and let the pasta rest for about 1 minute so the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to control spiciness.
  • Drain excess grease to prevent the dish from becoming too oily.
  • For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce may be less rich.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef pasta, creamy tomato sauce, penne recipe, Italian beef pasta, comfort food pasta, creamy penne recipe

Find it online: https://maicook.com/ground-beef-penne-in-cream-cheese-tomato-sauce-recipe/