Summary
This garlic butter beef pasta recipe combines tender seasoned beef with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce. The dish serves 4-6 people and takes approximately 25 minutes from start to finish. Featuring simple ingredients that pack maximum flavor, this one-pan meal delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The recipe is easily customizable and perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving satisfying comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This garlic butter beef pasta hits all the right notes for a perfect family meal. The combination of savory beef and aromatic garlic butter creates an irresistible flavor profile that appeals to both adults and children. The quick cooking time makes it ideal for busy schedules, while the simple ingredient list means you won’t need to make special trips to the grocery store. The dish is naturally satisfying and filling, providing excellent value for money while delivering gourmet taste. Plus, the minimal cleanup required makes it a winner for anyone who wants great food without spending hours washing dishes.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
Large skillet or sauté pan with lid, large pot for boiling pasta, colander for draining, wooden spoon or spatula for stirring, sharp knife for cutting beef, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and serving bowls or plates. A pasta fork or tongs can be helpful for serving, and having a ladle on hand makes it easier to serve the sauce.
Tips for Success
Cut the beef into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking, and don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the meat as this can cause steaming instead of proper searing. Cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente since it will finish cooking in the sauce. Save some pasta cooking water before draining, as the starchy water helps bind the sauce to the pasta. Let the garlic cook just until fragrant to avoid burning, which would create a bitter taste. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper before cooking for maximum flavor development.
Ingredients
1 pound sirloin steak or beef strips, cut into bite-sized pieces, 12 ounces pasta such as penne or fettuccine, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 cloves garlic minced, 1 medium onion diced, 1 cup beef broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. While pasta cooks, season beef pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add beef pieces, cooking for 3-4 minutes until browned on all sides, then remove beef and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter and sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in beef broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, then simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the cooked beef to the skillet and add the drained pasta, tossing everything together. Add remaining butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley, tossing until the butter melts and cheese is incorporated. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached. Finish with fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving immediately.
Additional Tips or Variations
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt mixed with a little pasta water. Add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach during the sautéing stage for extra nutrition and color. Try different cheese combinations such as Romano or Asiago instead of Parmesan for varied flavors. For a wine variation, deglaze the pan with white wine before adding the broth. Ground beef can be substituted for steak if preferred, just brown it thoroughly and drain excess fat. Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano can replace the dried Italian seasoning for brighter flavor. To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the finished dish.