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Creamy Beef Cavatappi Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Sophie
  • 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

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the cavatappi pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  5. Add Fresh Herbs: Stir fresh basil leaves and thyme sprigs into the sauce to infuse it with herbal aroma and flavor.
  6. Add Heavy Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuously stirring the sauce to blend it thoroughly for a rich and creamy texture.
  7. 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.
  8. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, stirring well to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the sauce.
  9. 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

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Find it online: https://cookwithsophie.com/creamy-beef-cavatappi-recipe/