Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni 

A rich and comforting dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce with tender, savory beef. Ready in about 40 minutes, this recipe blends ground beef, garlic, onion, beef broth, and heavy cream into a velvety sauce enriched with Parmesan and Italian herbs. Mozzarella adds extra meltiness, while red pepper flakes offer an optional touch of heat. Perfect for hearty weeknight dinners or cozy meals shared with loved ones, it delivers layers of flavor in every bite. A delicious and satisfying Italian‑inspired favorite. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb (≈450 g) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb (12 oz / ≈340 g) rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped for garnish

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
   
   

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove beef and set aside.
   
   

3. In the same pan, sauté the diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
   
   

4. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in beef broth and scrape up browned bits from the skillet. Simmer briefly.
   
   

5. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Let sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring until thickened and cheese is melted.

6. Return cooked beef to the pan and add drained rigatoni. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with creamy sauce. Simmer an additional 2–3 minutes. Add splash of reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
   
   

7. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil, and serve hot with extra Parmesan on the side.
   
   

Nutrients

Per serving (based on approx. 4 servings):
• Calories: ~650 kcal
• Protein: ~35 g
• Carbohydrates: ~50 g
• Fat: ~32 g
• Saturated fat, sodium, fiber and other micronutrients are moderate—exact values depend on specific ingredients used