This beеf and rotini in garlic Parmеsan sauce is one еаsy dinner . You mix ground beеf or sliced beef with corkscrew pasta and a creamy garlic cheese sauce . It feels like a big warm hug , but you wont spend all night in the kitchen . The mix of savory meat and plаte full of noodles looks neat and tastes even better .
The main star here is that garlic Parmesan sauce . It clings to the rotini good and gives every bite a smooth , rich flavor . You smell the garlic right away , and the Parmеsan adds a salty , nutty kick . It all melts together so the pasta tastes amazing .
Lots of folks love pasta meals like this one because you can change them up easy . Add more veggies , swap meat or try it with gluten-free pasta if you must . It works for family supper , a small get-together or just a quiet night at home . So grab your ingredients and get ready to dig in .
Ingredients
To make this beеf and rotini in garlic Parmеsan sauce , you will need:
- Beef - ground or sliced , whatever you like
- Rotini pasta - spiral shaped to hold the sauce
- Garlic - fresh cloves chopped fine
- Parmesan cheese - fresh grated tastes best
- Heavy cream or milk - for the creamy sauce
- Butter - to make the roux
- Olive oil - for cooking the beef and garlic
- Seasonings - salt , pepper , and dry Italian herbs
Try to pick good stuff . Fresh cheese and quality beef make a big diffеrence .
Recipe and Directions
Follow these steps to cook the dish :
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
First , thaw your beef if frozen and cut it if sliced . Chop 2-3 garlic cloves and grate about 1 cup of Parmеsan cheese , set aside .
Step 2: Cooking the Pasta
In a large pot , bring salted water to boil . Add rotini and cook until al dente . Save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it .
Step 3: Cooking the Beef
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high . Add beеf and cook until brown , dont crowd the pan or it will steam not brown . Then add garlic and cook 1 min . Season with salt , pepper and herbs .
Step 4: Making the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
In the same pan , melt 3 tablespoon butter . Stir in 3 tablespoon flour and cook 1 min . Slowly whisk in 1 cup cream or milk , then add the cheese . Keep stirring till smooth . If thick , splash some pasta water . Season to taste .
Step 5: Combining Everything
Put pasta and beef back in the pan . Toss all together so the sauce coats every noodle . Add more water if it seems dry . Top with extra cheese and herbs if you want .
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple salad or warm bread for dipping . A sprinkle of Parmesan on top looks nice . A light red wine or white can go well too .
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 600-700 calories , 35-40g protein , 30g fats and 60-70g carbs . Use lean beef , whole grain pasta or low-fat milk to make it lighter .
Variations
You can switch up the recipe :
- Vegetarian - use lentils or mushrooms instead of beef
- Gluten-Free - buy gluten-free rotini
- Add Veggies - stir in spinach , broccoli or peppers
- Other Meats - chicken or turkey work too
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcook the beеf or pasta and it gets tough or mushy
- Don’t skip seasoning at each step or it will taste flat
- Use fresh grated cheese not the pre-grated stuff
- Adjust sauce thickness with pasta water so it is not too thick or thin
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Cool the leftovers and store in an airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days . Freeze up to 2 months . Reheat in microwave or on stove with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce .
FAQs Section
What goes well with this pasta?
A fresh salad , roasted veggies or garlic bread match nicely .
Can I freeze it?
Yes , cool completely first then freeze in a tight container .
How to make ahead?
Cook sauce and beef ahead and keep separate . Boil pasta just before you eat .
What’s a good side dish?
Green beans , garden salad or grilled veggies go well .
Can I swap dairy?
Use coconut milk or plant cream and nutritional yeast instead of cheese and cream .
Conclusion
This beеf and rotini in garlic Parmеsan sauce is simple , tasty and fits many tastes . Try it tonight and tweak it your way . Let us know what you did and how it turned out .
Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Colander
- 1 Cheese grater (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or a lighter milk alternative.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional) For extra flavor.
- fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow it to simmer for a couple of minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If using, add the dried Italian herbs for extra flavor.
- Return the cooked beef to the skillet and mix well to coat with the sauce. Add the cooked rotini to the skillet and toss everything together, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.