Creamy Beef Cavatappi Recipe
Introduction
This Creamy Beef Cavatappi is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender ground beef with a rich tomato and cream sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 white onion, diced
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 1/3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 tablespoon wondra (quick-mixing flour)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a sauté pan, add ground beef, garlic, and diced onion. Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onions are tender.
- Step 2: Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, stirring well. Reduce heat to low (around setting 4) and simmer gently.
- Step 3: Mix the wondra with 1/3 cup water until smooth, then stir it into the sauce to help thicken it.
- Step 4: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 5: Stir in the fresh basil leaves and thyme sprigs into the sauce.
- Step 6: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring to combine evenly.
- Step 7: Add parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring thoroughly until melted and well combined.
- Step 8: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste and stir well.
- Step 9: Toss the drained cavatappi pasta into the sauce until fully coated. Serve topped with extra pepper if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with cooked mushrooms or plant-based crumbles.
- Fresh herbs like basil and thyme can be swapped for dried, but reduce quantity by half to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
- Use whole milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce texture.
Storage
Store leftover creamy beef cavatappi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini works well with this sauce. Just cook according to package instructions.
What is wondra and can I substitute it?
Wondra is a quick-mixing flour used to thicken sauces without lumps. You can substitute it with regular all-purpose flour mixed with water, but add gradually to avoid clumps.
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Creamy Beef Cavatappi Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Beef Cavatappi is a comforting pasta dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a savory tomato and beef broth sauce, enriched with fresh herbs and finished with creamy heavy cream and melted cheeses. The cavatappi pasta is cooked al dente and combined with the rich sauce for a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta (or pasta of choice)
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
Liquids & Sauces
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 1/3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Wondra (instant flour)
- 1/3 cup water (to mix with Wondra)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Cheeses
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Beef and Aromatics: In a sauté pan over medium heat, add ground beef, minced garlic, and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the ground beef is browned and onions are tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add Broth and Tomato Sauce: Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce to the pan. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients evenly, then reduce heat to low (setting 4 on your stove) to let the flavors meld gently.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix the Wondra flour into 1/3 cup of water until smooth, then stir this mixture into the simmering sauce. This will help thicken the sauce and give it a creamy consistency.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the cavatappi pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir fresh basil leaves and thyme sprigs into the sauce to infuse it with herbal aroma and flavor.
- Add Heavy Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuously stirring the sauce to blend it thoroughly for a rich and creamy texture.
- Add Cheeses: Incorporate the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses into the sauce, stirring well until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, stirring well to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the drained cavatappi pasta into the creamy beef sauce until all the pasta is well coated. Top with additional pepper if desired, then serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute cavatappi for any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or rotini.
- Wondra instant flour is used to thicken the sauce quickly without clumping; if unavailable, you can use cornstarch mixed with water as an alternative.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Remove thyme sprigs before serving, or finely chop leaves before adding if you prefer not to have whole sprigs in the dish.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy beef cavatappi, beef pasta recipe, creamy pasta with beef, Italian comfort food, cheesy beef pasta
