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Quick Brown Butter Ground Beef Pasta Skillet Recipe Perfect for Easy Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and comforting skillet meal featuring ground beef, pasta, and nutty browned butter, perfect for busy weeknights or late-night cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • 8 ounces (225g) dry pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Cook until it foams and turns golden brown with nutty aroma, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat to prevent burning.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the browned butter. Return skillet to medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes until onion is translucent, stirring frequently.
  3. Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until well browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if desired.
  4. Add pasta and broth: Pour in dry pasta and beef broth. Stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
  5. Cook pasta in skillet: Cover skillet with lid or foil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if liquid gets too low.
  6. Finish with Parmesan: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top. Serve hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

Do not rush browning the butter to avoid burning. Stir pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is key for creamy texture. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter, ground beef, pasta skillet, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, Parmesan, comfort food

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/quick-brown-butter-ground-beef-pasta-skillet-recipe-perfect-for-easy-weeknight-dinners/