Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where hearty pasta gets creamy, cheesy comfort. This Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni features tender rigatoni tubes coated in a rich Parmesan sauce with savory ground beef, onions, and garlic for ultimate weeknight satisfaction. Perfect for family dinners, date nights, or meal prep that reheats beautifully.

One-pot method ready in 30 minutes with bold Italian flavors and stretchy cheese pull.

Why This Recipe Works

• Rigatoni’s ridges trap creamy sauce perfectly
• Ground beef adds hearty protein and richness
• Parmesan melts into velvety sauce without separation
• Aromatics build deep flavor quickly
• Single skillet minimizes cleanup

Ingredients & Prep

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat olive oil. Add ground beef; cook until browned, breaking up with spoon. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion; cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes; stir 30 seconds.
5. Pour in beef broth and heavy cream; bring to simmer. Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
6. Add cooked rigatoni; toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed for saucy consistency. Simmer 2 minutes.
7. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days. Reheat on stovetop with splash of cream or broth. Freezes up to 2 months.

FAQs

Sauce too thick? Add pasta water or extra cream while reheating.
Gluten-free? Use gluten-free rigatoni and check seasoning labels.
Can I bake it? Transfer to casserole dish, top with mozzarella, bake 375°F 15 minutes.

Conclusion

Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni delivers cheesy, beefy comfort in every ridged bite. Quick, satisfying pasta perfection for busy nights. Find more one-pan pasta at dishfoody.com.

Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni Recipe

Print Recipe

Rich and comforting rigatoni tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce with savory ground beef and Italian herbs. A hearty weeknight pasta everyone will love.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

• 1. Cook rigatoni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
• 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• 3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
• 4. Stir in onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• 5. Cook 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
• 6. Add tomato paste and beef broth; stir and simmer 5 minutes.
• 7. Pour in heavy cream and Parmesan; cook on low heat until sauce thickens.
• 8. Add cooked rigatoni and toss until fully coated in sauce.
• 9. Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley before serving.

Notes

• Substitute Italian sausage for beef for extra flavor.
• Use half heavy cream and half milk for a lighter option.
• Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 640mg
• Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni, rigatoni pasta, easy beef pasta