If you like both smooth Alfredo sauce and salty ground beef, why not mix them together to make a food that is both warm and filling? Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef combines the smooth richness of Alfredo sauce with the hearty flavor of seasoned beef. This dish is ideal for a daily dinner or a special event.
This new take on the classic Alfredo pasta dish adds energy and depth, creating a full meal that the whole family will love. This piece will teach you how to make spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef and give you tips on how to make the sauce and meat go together perfectly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Satisfying: The smooth Alfredo sauce and seasoned ground beef make for a rich and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: This dish is ready in less than 30 minutes, which is ideal for busy weeknights.
- Budget-Friendly: Adding ground beef to your food is an affordable and cost-effective way to enhance its nutritional value.
- You can quickly change the spices and add veggies or flowers to suit your tastes.
- Great for Leftovers: This dish reheats well, which makes it a great choice for making ahead of time or eating the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the things you’ll need to make Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef before we start with the cooking:
- Ground Beef (1 lb): Lean ground beef is ideal, but you can use a higher fat content if you prefer. You could use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter choice.
- Spaghetti (12 oz): You can use traditional spaghetti or a gluten-free alternative depending on your preference.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Adds richness to the Alfredo sauce.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Fresh garlic enhances the flavor of both the meat and the sauce.
- Cream Cheese (4 oz, softened): Helps to create a creamy and smooth sauce.
- Milk (1 cup): Whole milk adds creaminess, but you can use any type of milk, including almond or oat milk.
- Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, grated): Adds a cheesy depth to the Alfredo sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
- Fresh Herbs (optional): Basil or parsley can be added for a fresh, vibrant touch.
How to Make Spaghetti Alfredo with Ground Beef
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s walk through the process of creating this delicious dish.
1. Cook the Spaghetti
Start by making the spaghetti the way it says on the package. Make sure it’s al dente because it will cook a little more when you mix it with the sauce. Remove the water and set it aside.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
Heat the ground beef in a large pan over medium-low heat until it becomes brown and fully cooked. As the meat cooks, break it up into little pieces to make sure it browns evenly. Add salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like to the beef. For example, garlic powder or Italian seasoning works well. After cooking, remove the meat from the pan and set it aside. Leave some of the fat behind.
3. Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. When you add the chopped garlic, cook for about one minute, or until the garlic smells good. Watch out for burning the garlic.
Then, add the softened cream cheese and mix it with the butter using a whisk until it melts. This will make a smooth base for the sauce.
Slowly add the milk while mixing all the time to avoid lumps. Wait three to four minutes for the sauce to begin to thicken.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and keep mixing the sauce until it is smooth and fully mixed. Add pepper and salt to taste.
4. Combine the Beef and Alfredo Sauce
Once the Alfredo sauce has finished cooking, return the cooked ground beef to the pan. To mix the beef and the smooth Alfredo sauce, stir them together. Allow the flavors to meld together for an additional two to three minutes by bringing the mixture to a boil.
5. Toss the Spaghetti in the Sauce
Finally😉, add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and stir it around so that the beef and Alfredo sauce cover all of the noodles. You can add a little pasta water to the sauce if it seems too thick.
Serving Suggestions Spaghetti Alfredo
While Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef is delicious on its own, here are a few ways to enhance the meal:
- Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of garlic bread to soak up the extra sauce.
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, zucchini, or bell peppers make great accompaniments.
Tips for the Best Spaghetti Alfredo with Ground Beef
To make sure your dish turns out perfectly every time, here are a few tips:
1. Choose Lean Ground Beef
Opt for lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in your sauce. If you use a fattier cut, be sure to drain off the excess fat after browning the meat.
2. Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Be sure to cook the spaghetti al dente. It will continue to cook slightly once it’s tossed with the hot sauce, and you don’t want it to become mushy.
3. Add Pasta Water if Needed
If your sauce becomes too thick, use a small amount of reserved pasta water to thin it out. This will help keep the sauce smooth and creamy without losing flavor.
4. Season the Ground Beef Well
Don’t forget to season the ground beef generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. This adds depth of flavor and complements the creamy Alfredo sauce.
Variations of Spaghetti Alfredo with Ground Beef
Want to customize your Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef? Here are some variations to try:
- Vegetable Alfredo: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Spicy Alfredo: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to add a little heat to the dish.
- Cheesy Alfredo: Add extra parmesan or mozzarella for a cheesier version of the sauce.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This dish is great for leftovers, so don’t worry if you make too much!
1. Storing
Store leftover Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
2. Reheating
To reheat, place the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore the creaminess. Stir occasionally until warmed through.
Conclusion: A Delicious Twist on Classic Alfredo
Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef is an ideal combination of rich, creamy Alfredo sauce and robust, flavorful meat. It is a gratifying dish that is simple to prepare and is likely to become a family favorite. This recipe consistently provides a satisfying meal, whether for a midweek supper or a weekend comfort dish.
Try it out today, and don’t forget to pair it with your favorite sides for a complete, indulgent meal!
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FAQs Spaghetti Alfredo
1. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the Alfredo sauce and ground beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, cook the spaghetti and combine it with the sauce and beef.
2. Can I freeze leftovers?
While Alfredo sauce can change in texture when frozen, you can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to bring back the creaminess.
3. Is there a lighter version of this recipe?
Yes! You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef and swap whole milk for a lighter alternative like almond or oat milk to reduce calories and fat content.
Print Spaghetti Alfredo with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- Ground Beef 1 lb: Lean ground beef is ideal, but you can use a higher fat content if you prefer. You could use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter choice.
- Spaghetti 12 oz: You can use traditional spaghetti or a gluten-free alternative depending on your preference.
- Butter 2 tablespoons: Adds richness to the Alfredo sauce.
- Garlic 2 cloves, minced: Fresh garlic enhances the flavor of both the meat and the sauce.
- Cream Cheese 4 oz, softened: Helps to create a creamy and smooth sauce.
- Milk 1 cup: Whole milk adds creaminess, but you can use any type of milk, including almond or oat milk.
- Parmesan Cheese ½ cup, grated: Adds a cheesy depth to the Alfredo sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
- Fresh Herbs optional: Basil or parsley can be added for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Start by making the spaghetti the way it says on the package. Make sure it’s al dente because it will cook a little more when you mix it with the sauce. Remove the water and set it aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the ground beef in a large pan over medium-low heat until it becomes brown and fully cooked. As the meat cooks, break it up into little pieces to make sure it browns evenly. Add salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like to the beef. For example, garlic powder or Italian seasoning works well. After cooking, remove the meat from the pan and set it aside. Leave some of the fat behind.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. When you add the chopped garlic, cook for about one minute, or until the garlic smells good. Watch out for burning the garlic.
- Then, add the softened cream cheese and mix it with the butter using a whisk until it melts. This will make a smooth base for the sauce.
- Slowly add the milk while mixing all the time to avoid lumps. Wait three to four minutes for the sauce to begin to thicken.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese and keep mixing the sauce until it is smooth and fully mixed. Add pepper and salt to taste.
- Combine the Beef and Alfredo Sauce : Once the Alfredo sauce has finished cooking, return the cooked ground beef to the pan. To mix the beef and the smooth Alfredo sauce, stir them together. Allow the flavors to meld together for an additional two to three minutes by bringing the mixture to a boil.
- Toss the Spaghetti in the Sauce: Finally😉, add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and stir it around so that the beef and Alfredo sauce cover all of the noodles. You can add a little pasta water to the sauce if it seems too thick.
Also you can watch this video for another version by adding broccoli, crafted by Discovered Flavor
Notes
1. Choose Lean Ground Beef
Opt for lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in your sauce. If you use a fattier cut, be sure to drain off the excess fat after browning the meat.2. Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Be sure to cook the spaghetti al dente. It will continue to cook slightly once it’s tossed with the hot sauce, and you don’t want it to become mushy.3. Add Pasta Water if Needed
If your sauce becomes too thick, use a small amount of reserved pasta water to thin it out. This will help keep the sauce smooth and creamy without losing flavor.4. Season the Ground Beef Well
Don’t forget to season the ground beef generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. This adds depth of flavor and complements the creamy Alfredo sauce. This dish is great for leftovers, so don’t worry if you make too much! 1. Storing Store leftover Spaghetti Alfredo with ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 2. Reheating To reheat, place the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore the creaminess. Stir occasionally until warmed through.Did you make this recipe?
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