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Ground Beef Alfredo pasta garnished with parsley and Parmesan cheese, served in a white bowl

How to Make the Best Ground Beef Alfredo: A Creamy Delight


  • Author: Nova
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (lean or extra lean)
  • 12 oz (340g) fettuccine pasta (or your preferred pasta type)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

Optional Garnishes:

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Additional Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1: Boil the Pasta

  1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (firm to the bite).
  3. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water can help adjust the sauce’s consistency later.

2: Sauté the Aromatics

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, toss in the minced garlic and chopped onion.
  2. Cook the garlic and onion for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re soft and fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!

3: Brown the Ground Beef

  1. Push the garlic and onion to the side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the center.
  2. Cook the beef until it’s browned and crumbled, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
  3. Season the beef with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  4. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming greasy.

4: Make the Alfredo Sauce

  1. With the beef still in the skillet, reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine it with the beef and aromatics.
  2. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to melt it into the cream. The sauce will begin to thicken as the cheese melts.
  3. Add the Italian seasoning (if using), and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Simmer the sauce gently for 3–4 minutes, but do not let it boil—this helps maintain a silky, smooth consistency.

5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

  1. Add the drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated.
  2. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

6: Garnish and Serve

  1. Transfer the Ground Beef Alfredo to serving plates or a large serving dish.
  2. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.
  3. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

  • If you’re preparing this dish ahead of time, keep the sauce and pasta separate until just before serving to avoid soggy pasta.
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick!
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1 ½ cups)
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg