Cheesy Ground Beef Penne Pasta

Here’s a hearty and comforting Cheesy Ground Beef Penne Pasta 🍝🧀 — creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor

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🥘 Cheesy Ground Beef Penne Pasta

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

• 12 oz penne pasta

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta: Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook beef: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onion over medium heat. Drain excess fat if needed. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

3. Make sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 8–10 minutes.

4. Add cream & pasta: Stir in heavy cream, then add the cooked pasta. Mix until coated.

5. Make it cheesy: Stir in 1 cup mozzarella and all the Parmesan. Mix until melted.

6. Top & melt: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top. Cover skillet for 2–3 minutes (or broil in oven) until cheese is bubbly and gooey.

7. Serve: Garnish with parsley or basil and serve hot.

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✨ Variations:

• Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra veggies.

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

• Make it extra cheesy with a mix of cheddar + mozzarella.

Would you like me to also give you a baked casserole version of this (like a cheesy pasta bake)?