One-Pan Creamy Beef Pasta Is The Weeknight Dinner That Does It All

After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is a sink full of dishes and a complicated recipe. One-pan creamy beef pasta solves both problems at once, delivering restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss.

Everything cooks together in a single skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time to relax.

This hearty dish combines tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a luscious cream sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

1. Building the Flavor Base

The magic happens in layers. You’ll start by building a flavor foundation with sautéed onions, their natural sweetness caramelizing in the pan until they’re soft and golden. Then comes the ground beef, breaking apart into savory crumbles that soak up every bit of the aromatics you’re creating.

Fresh garlic goes in next, not too early, so it doesn’t burn, releasing that unmistakable fragrance that tells everyone within earshot that something delicious is happening. Each ingredient builds on the last, creating depth and complexity that makes this dish taste like you spent hours in the kitchen when you really didn’t.

2. The Italian Seasoning Secret

Here’s where things get interesting. Italian seasoning, with its blend of oregano, basil, and thyme, transforms this from ordinary to extraordinary. A generous splash of beef stock creates the cooking liquid for your pasta, which you’ll add directly to the pan.

No separate pot of boiling water required. This technique isn’t just about convenience; the pasta will actually absorb all those incredible flavors as it cooks, making every bite more delicious than it would be if you’d cooked everything separately. The herbs infuse the broth, creating a savory base that becomes the soul of your sauce.

3. Cooking the Pasta Right in the Pan

The penne cooks right there in the flavorful liquid, absorbing all those savory notes while releasing its starches to naturally thicken the sauce. As the pasta reaches that perfect al dente texture, tender but still with a slight bite, you’ll stir in heavy cream, turning the whole thing luxuriously silky.

Watching the transformation is almost mesmerizing as the sauce goes from thin and brothy to rich and velvety. The starches from the pasta work like a natural thickener, creating that coating consistency that clings to every piece beautifully without any flour or cornstarch needed.

4. The Finishing Touches

A final simmer brings everything together, melding flavors and creating that glossy, restaurant-quality finish. Top it all with shredded mozzarella that melts into creamy pockets throughout the dish, and a scatter of fresh parsley for color and a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness.

These last additions aren’t just decoration; they elevate the entire experience. The cheese adds gooey, stretchy goodness that makes each forkful irresistible, while the parsley provides a fresh contrast that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. It’s these little details that make homemade taste better than takeout.