One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta
Extra creamy, wildly delicious, and super easy is this one-pot creamy beef pasta. This dish is packed with ample flavor and two different kinds of cheeses…so comforting and weeknight friendly!

Do y’all remember that one signature store-bought boxed one pot pasta situation with hamburger? Yeah, you know: it even claimed to be a huge helper, HAHA. Listen, I use to live off of it when I was a kid and when Mom was out working and I had to fend for myself. There is something so cozy + comforting about it huh.
Given the current climate of the world, we’re all majorly relying on our pantry staples and easy but good homemade cooking. While going through my mess of a pantry/fridge; I put together this insanely delicious, super easy, and creamy one-pot beef pasta. It’s sort of an ode to that favorite I grew up on but homemade and 10x better. Yessss, this creamy beef pasta is outrageously disrespectful in the best kind of way!

Creamy Beef Pasta Ingredients
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
- Pasta: I love using rigatoni pasta for my creamy beef pasta. Since thicker/wider, it holds up to the creamy sauce and meat perfectly. Use any kind of short-cut pasta: elbow, shells, penne, farfalle, orecchiette, etc.
- Chicken Broth: This helps to create a lovely saucy, flavorful, and creamy texture! You can also use beef broth as well.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: I love this for some added creamy goodness.
- Ground Beef: A nice beautiful pound of ground beef.
- Butter: My favorite, this fat is used to sauté the ground beef.
- Shallot: One shallot, finely chopped, yields so much great flavor!
- Spices: Super simple: salt/pepper/garlic powder is all that you need.
- Cheese: Two kinds for ultimate deliciousness! One 8-ounce bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (you can use either orange or white cheddar or a mixed bag of both!) and one cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Other Recipes You May Also Like:
- Smoked Gouda Mac ‘N Cheese
- Pan Seared Salmon With Orzo + Asparagus
- One-Pot Casarecce Pasta
- Easy Chicken and Dumplings
- Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken
- Creamy Vegan Jerk Pasta

How To Make One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta
This creamy beef pasta recipe is just so easy to make, y’all!
- In a large stock pot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef and cook until browned completely. Then season the beef with salt/pepper- to taste, and garlic powder.
- Add in the chopped shallot and continue cooking along with the beef.
- Next, add the dried pasta into the same pot along with the chicken or beef broth, and stir. Cover the pot with a lid to let pasta cook until tender.
- Lastly, add in the cream and cheeses. Give everything a good stir to combine and allow pasta to sit in pot, covered, for a few minutes to meld.
FAQ’s On This Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe
Can I Use Other Meat?
Yes, you sure can: ground turkey or ground pork can + will also work well here!
Any Heavy Cream Alternatives?
Try using half and half or evaporated milk. Coconut milk would also work but know that it would alter the overall taste a bit.
Don’t Have A Shallot?
No biggie, my friends: just use a regular onion, finely chopped, about 1/2 cup!
What Can I Pair This Recipe With?
Serve up this creamy beef pasta with a light side salad and garlic bread for an ultimate meal. Maybe even pair with a ‘lil glass of wine for the adults, too! This also makes for a great date night situation as well, ha!

I am just absolutely smitten with this one-pot creamy beef pasta you guys! ☺️
I sure do hope y’all enjoy it as well and tag me in all your creations. This is most definitely an easy weeknight recipe that’ll hit the spot and have you going right back to the pot for seconds…maybe even thirds? Ha.
REMEMBER TO LEAVE A ⭐️STAR RATING⭐️AND TAG ME ON THE ‘GRAM IF YOU MAKE ANY OF MY RECIPES! I ALWAYS LOVE TO SEE IT WHEN YOU DO!
UNTIL NEXT TIME…LOVE AND BUTTER,
Q.
Print
One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Extra creamy, wildly delicious, and super easy is this one-pot creamy beef pasta. This dish is packed with ample flavor and two different kinds of cheeses…so comforting and weeknight friendly!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lb ground beef (I use grass-fed)
- kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 1 lb dried short-cut pasta (I use rigatoni)
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
Instructions
- In a large stock pot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef and use a wooden utensil to break the beef into crumbles. Cook until browned completely, about 6-7 minutes. Then season the beef with salt/pepper- to taste, and garlic powder.
- Next, add in the shallot, stir together, and continue cooking along with the beef for another 4-5 minutes.
- Add in the dried pasta and broth. Stir to fully incorporate and place a lid on the pot and allow the pasta to cook through, about 10-12 minutes or until pasta is fully cooked, al dente.
- Turn off the heat and pour in the cream and both cheeses, stir to fully combine. Let the pasta sit, covered, for at least 10 minutes to allow the sauce and flavors to meld. Then serve and enjoy!


117 Comments on “One-Pot Creamy Beef Pasta”
WOW! I always call a recipe a success when my husband finishes his portion before me and is already getting a second helping. I did add some baby bella mushrooms to this. I liked the nutty flavor it added. After browning the beef I did drain the fat and then added the butter.
This is my favourite pasta recipe! It’s so easy, you can really do whatever you want with it and it always turns out. I use penne (can never find rigatoni in my small town unfortunately) and I always use whatever cheese in my fridge. Sometimes use a shallot, sometimes use an onion. Thanks so much. This is such a good recipe.
made this with onion, bag cheese + parm, and spinach. absolutely delicious!!
Hello- this was  delicious!Â
Just a wondering if this freezes well. I’d like to make a double batch and have dinner ready for another night.Â
ThanksÂ
Hi Amanda- Because of the cream in the pasta, I don’t recommend freezing- just refrigeration 🙂
Is this better with chicken or beef broth? I’m undecided
Hi Barbara- Either one works…beef is great if you prefer to amp up the beefy flavor! 🙂
Thank you! I tried with the beef broth and everyone enjoyed it!
Yummy thanks!
Could I use wtew meat cut in smaller portions instead of the ground beef?
Hi Sara- I haven’t tested this recipe with any other meat, but I’m not too sure that stew meat will work well here. Stew meat tends to need much more time for simmering as opposed to ground beef. Hope this helps! 🙂