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Quick Creamy Beef Alfredo Easy Weeknight Dinner

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A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring ground beef in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce over fettuccine. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water, salt generously (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts water), and bring to a rolling boil.
  2. While water heats, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let shimmer for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Transfer beef to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the pan.
  3. Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta (do not rinse).
  4. Reduce heat under skillet to medium. Add butter to beef drippings and let melt until foamy (about 1 minute). Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking gently. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened (coats back of a spoon).
  6. Remove pan from heat. Gradually sprinkle in grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water (start with ¼ cup) and stir.
  7. Return cooked beef to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss together with tongs. If sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Serve immediately in warm bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley if desired, and a crack of black pepper.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan (not pre-shredded) and full-fat heavy cream. Reserve extra pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of milk or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef alfredo, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, easy pasta

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/quick-creamy-beef-alfredo-easy-weeknight-dinner/