30-Minute Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta Delight

Name: 30-Minute Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta Delight
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 oz (340 g) linguine pasta; 1 pound (450 g) ground beef; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup (120 g) unsalted butter; 1 cup (90 g) grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup (120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional); 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

by Jannet Lisa

30 de June de 2025

Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

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Oh, you’re in for a treat with this Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef! I’ve been making this dish for years, and it’s always a hit with my family. The secret is in the perfect balance of flavors – the rich, savory ground beef pairs so well with the creamy, cheesy garlic butter sauce. It’s one of those recipes that looks fancy but comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

Let me tell you why this recipe is a game-changer:

Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes – perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast!
Rich, comforting flavors: The combination of garlic butter and two kinds of cheese creates this incredible creamy sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
Family-friendly: My kids absolutely devour this dish, and I love that it gets some good protein into them with the ground beef.

One-pan wonder: You’ll love how everything comes together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Versatile: It’s great as-is, but you can easily customize it with your favorite veggies or different proteins.

I make this at least twice a month because it’s just that good and so simple to throw together!

Ingredients for Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

Alright, let’s gather everything you’ll need for this amazing pasta dish:

12 oz (340 g) linguine pasta – the long strands really hold that sauce well!
1 pound (450 g) ground beef – I prefer 80/20 for best flavor

2 tablespoons olive oil – just your basic extra virgin
4 cloves garlic, minced – fresh is best, about 2 teaspoons
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – or make your own blend

Salt and pepper to taste – I do about 1/2 teaspoon each
1/2 cup (120 g) unsalted butter – you’ll want real butter here
1 cup (90 g) grated Parmesan cheese – freshly grated makes a difference!

1 cup (120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese – the gooey kind
1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream – this makes it extra creamy
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley – optional but adds nice color

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes – totally optional for some heat

That’s it! Pretty simple ingredients that come together to make something magical.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Now, I know sometimes we need to swap things out, so here are my best tips:

If you don’t have ground beef, ground turkey works fine – it’ll be a bit lighter in flavor but still delicious. For the cheeses, you can use all Parmesan or all mozzarella if that’s what you have. I’ve even used cheddar in a pinch!

The linguine can be swapped with fettuccine or spaghetti if that’s what’s in your pantry. And if you’re out of heavy cream, whole milk works okay, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich. Fresh garlic is really best here, but in a hurry, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of the fresh cloves. Just add it with the Italian seasoning so it doesn’t burn.

Equipment Needed

Alright, let’s talk tools! You’ll want a large pot for boiling that pasta – I use my 8-quart one. A big skillet is key for browning the beef and making the sauce – my 12-inch works perfectly. Don’t forget a good wooden spoon for stirring – it won’t scratch your pans! Oh, and a colander for draining the pasta. That’s really all you need to make this magic happen!

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

Alright, let’s get cooking! This recipe comes together faster than you might think. I love how the kitchen smells when that garlic starts sizzling in the butter – it’s just heavenly! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in no time.

Cooking the Pasta

First things first, get that pasta going! Fill a large pot with water – you want enough to let the linguine swim around. Add a generous amount of salt, like you’re seasoning the ocean. Bring it to a rolling boil, then add your linguine. Stir it right away so it doesn’t stick together. Cook it for about 8-10 minutes until it’s al dente – that’s when it’s tender but still has a little bite. Don’t forget to scoop out about a cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain it – that liquid gold will help our sauce later!

Preparing the Ground Beef

While your pasta’s cooking, let’s get that beef going. Heat up your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and start breaking it up with your spatula. You want nice, small crumbles – no big chunks here! Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes until it’s nicely browned all over. If there’s a lot of fat in the pan, go ahead and drain some off. Now, sprinkle in your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir so all that flavor gets into every bit of beef. Oh, and don’t forget to add your minced garlic at the end – we want it fragrant but not burned!

Creating the Garlic Butter Sauce

Here’s where the magic happens! Turn your heat down to low and add that beautiful butter to the skillet. Let it melt completely, then pour in the heavy cream. Now comes the fun part – sprinkle in that Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, a little at a time. Keep stirring constantly with your wooden spoon – you’ll see it start to come together into this gorgeous, creamy sauce. It might look a little clumpy at first, but just keep stirring. The heat will melt everything into this smooth, velvety sauce that’s just begging to coat some pasta. I always taste it at this point – you might want to add a pinch more salt or pepper, depending on your preference.

Combining Everything

Now for the grand finale! Add your cooked linguine right into that cheesy garlic butter sauce. Use tongs to gently toss everything together, making sure every strand gets coated in that amazing sauce. If it seems a little thick, that’s where your reserved pasta water comes in. Add it a couple tablespoons at a time until you get just the right consistency. I like mine to be creamy but still cling beautifully to the pasta. Right before serving, sprinkle on that fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Oh, and don’t be shy with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top – it’s the perfect finishing touch!

Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef - detail 1

Tips for Perfect Cheesy Garlic Butter Linguine Pasta with Savory Ground Beef

Oh, I’ve got some great tips to make this dish even better! First, if your sauce isn’t thick enough, just let it simmer a bit longer – that extra time helps it reduce and thicken up nicely. And listen, fresh garlic makes all the difference here! The stuff in jars just doesn’t compare to that amazing aroma you get from freshly minced cloves.

Don’t be afraid to taste as you go – sometimes I add an extra pinch of salt or a dash more Italian seasoning. Oh, and here’s a good one: if your sauce gets too thick when reheating leftovers, just splash in a little milk or cream to bring it back to that perfect creamy consistency. Trust me, these little tricks really take this dish to the next level!

Variations to Try

Oh, this recipe is so versatile! Want to add some veggies? Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach – they pair wonderfully with the garlic butter sauce. For a different protein, ground turkey or Italian sausage work great. I’ve even made this with shrimp for a fancy twist! Herbs are fun to play with too – try adding some fresh basil or oregano at the end. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a splash of white wine in the sauce adds amazing depth of flavor. The possibilities are endless!

Serving Suggestions

Oh, this pasta is fantastic on its own, but let me tell you what I love to serve with it! A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through all that rich, cheesy goodness. And garlic bread? It’s practically mandatory! The crunchy, buttery slices are perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate. Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus add a nice fresh element too. For a complete Italian-American feast, I sometimes serve it with some grilled chicken or meatballs on the side. So good!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Let me tell you about leftovers – they’re almost as good as the first serving! Just pop any extras in an airtight container and they’ll keep nicely in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, the microwave works fine, but I prefer reheating it gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream. Stir it occasionally until it’s heated through. Oh, and if it seems a little thick, that extra liquid will help bring back that perfect creamy texture!

Nutritional Information

Now, I know we’re all about that delicious flavor, but let’s talk nutrition! Each serving has about 750 calories – hey, it’s a hearty meal! You’re getting a good balance with 35g of protein to keep you full, 50g of carbs for energy, and 45g of fat that makes it so rich and satisfying. Remember, these are just estimates – your exact numbers might vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients you use. And honestly? Totally worth every delicious bite!

Frequently Asked Questions

Oh, I get so many questions about this cheesy garlic butter linguine pasta! Let me share some of the most common ones with you.

How do I thicken the garlic butter sauce for pasta? Great question! If your sauce is too thin, just let it simmer for a few extra minutes – that extra time helps it reduce and thicken up. You can also add a bit more grated Parmesan cheese, which will help thicken it while adding more flavor. A splash of heavy cream can help too if you want to keep that creamy texture.

Is garlic butter good on pasta? Oh my goodness, yes! Garlic butter is absolutely amazing on pasta. It adds this rich, savory flavor that just makes everything taste better. The garlic gives it that wonderful aroma and taste, while the butter makes it so creamy and satisfying. It’s the perfect base for building all those delicious flavors in this dish.

Can I use a different type of pasta? Sure thing! While linguine is my favorite for this recipe because those long strands hold the sauce so well, you can definitely use other pastas. Fettuccine or spaghetti work great too. Just remember that different pasta shapes might need slightly different cooking times, so keep an eye on them!

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? I find that reheating gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream works best. It helps bring back that perfect creamy texture. The microwave works in a pinch, but you might want to add a little liquid and stir it occasionally to keep the sauce nice and smooth.

Share Your Experience

Oh, I just know you’re going to love this recipe! Please leave a comment and let me know how it turned out for you. Did you make any fun variations? I’d love to hear about it! And if you snap a photo, tag me on social media – I always get so excited to see your creations!