Description
Ground Beef Alfredo is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender fettuccine with seasoned ground beef. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef 85–90% lean
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, room temp
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan, NOT pre-shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or white pepper
- Pinch nutmeg
- 12 ounces fettuccine, or any long pasta form
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in well-salted water and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up well. Once browned, add garlic and spices, stirring for one minute. If very greasy, drain excess fat, leaving some for flavor. Remove the beef from the pan.
- In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes (do not brown). Slowly add milk and stir until thickened. Then, add cream and stir to combine, simmering gently for 3 minutes until thickened.
- Lower the heat and stir in grated parmesan, salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg until smooth and silky. If too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Add the beef back into the sauce, then add the drained pasta. Toss until coated and glossy.
- Adjust the consistency with the reserved pasta water until it clings beautifully.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 49g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 135mg