This rich and hearty Cheesy Beef Alfredo with Linguine combines savory ground beef with a creamy, garlicky Alfredo sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. It’s a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Cheesy Beef Alfredo with Linguine is destined to become a family favorite for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick and simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of tender linguine, seasoned ground beef, and velvety Alfredo sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that appeals to both adults and children alike. Additionally, it’s a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your preferences or to use up ingredients you already have on hand. The creamy, cheesy sauce is absolutely irresistible, and the addition of ground beef makes it a substantial, protein-rich meal that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Ground beef provides the hearty protein base for this recipe, adding rich flavor and satisfying texture. Choose lean ground beef (85/15) for the best balance of flavor and less fat, or substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
Linguine pasta serves as the perfect vehicle for the creamy sauce, with its flat, ribbon-like shape that holds the Alfredo beautifully. You can substitute with fettuccine for a more traditional Alfredo experience, or use spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand.
Heavy cream forms the luxurious base of the Alfredo sauce, creating that signature richness and velvety texture. For a lighter option, you could use half-and-half, though the sauce won’t be quite as thick.
Parmesan cheese is essential for authentic Alfredo flavor, providing saltiness, umami, and thickening the sauce naturally as it melts. Freshly grated works best as it melts more smoothly than pre-packaged varieties.
Garlic infuses the dish with aromatic flavor, both in its fresh minced form when cooking the beef and as garlic powder in the sauce for deeper, more rounded flavor.
Olive oil is used for browning the beef and adds a subtle fruity undertone to the finished dish.
Salt and black pepper are simple seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish. The freshly cracked pepper adds particularly nice visual appeal and sharper flavor than pre-ground.
Butter adds the final touch of richness and silky texture to the sauce, helping to create that signature Alfredo finish.
Directions
- Cook linguine in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add ground beef, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat and add minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat and add heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth.
- Add linguine to the sauce, mixing well to coat. Stir in butter until melted and smooth.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect for a family dinner. You’ll need about 10 minutes for preparation and 20 minutes for cooking, bringing the total time to approximately 30 minutes. Each serving contains approximately 600 calories, making it a substantial main course. If you’re serving this with sides like garlic bread or a salad, you might get 5-6 smaller portions.
Variations
Vegetable Additions: Transform this dish by adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted bell peppers for extra nutrients and flavor.
Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with Italian sausage, ground turkey, chicken, or even shrimp for different flavor profiles.
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to give your Alfredo a pleasant heat.
Herbed Version: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme just before serving for brightness and color.
Lighter Option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce the Parmesan, and add a splash of pasta water to maintain creaminess with fewer calories.
Baked Variation: Transfer the finished pasta to a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil until bubbly and golden for a baked Alfredo casserole.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce may thicken considerably when chilled.
Freezing: While possible, freezing isn’t ideal for cream-based pasta dishes as they can separate upon thawing. If you must freeze, store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Reheating on Stovetop: For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce’s consistency as it tends to thicken when stored.
Microwave Reheating: If using a microwave, reheat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a small amount of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Freshening Up: A sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and a few cracks of black pepper can help rejuvenate the flavor of reheated leftovers.
FAQs
Why is my Alfredo sauce too thin?
If your sauce is too thin, continue simmering it for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken. The Parmesan cheese also helps thicken the sauce as it melts. Alternatively, you can create a slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water, then stir it into the simmering sauce.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While best served fresh, you can prepare components ahead of time. Cook the beef and make the sauce, then refrigerate separately from the cooked pasta. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently, adding a splash of cream if needed, then toss with freshly cooked or reheated pasta.
What sides go well with Cheesy Beef Alfredo?
This rich pasta pairs beautifully with lighter sides like a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or garlic bread. The fresh vegetables or crisp salad provide a nice contrast to the creamy pasta.
My sauce broke and looks curdled. How can I fix it?
If your sauce separates, reduce the heat immediately and try whisking in a small amount of warm heavy cream. Sometimes blending the sauce briefly can also help re-emulsify it. To prevent breaking, avoid boiling the sauce and always add cheese gradually with the heat lowered.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
Yes, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cornstarch for thickening. Use less Parmesan and incorporate some low-fat cottage cheese blended until smooth. You could also reduce the amount of butter or use a light butter alternative.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While linguine works wonderfully, you can substitute fettuccine (traditional for Alfredo), spaghetti, penne, or any pasta shape you prefer. Short pastas like farfalle or rotini also work well and might be easier for children to eat.
Why does my Parmesan cheese clump instead of melting smoothly?
Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. For best results, grate your Parmesan fresh from a block. Also, make sure to lower the heat before adding cheese and incorporate it gradually while stirring constantly.
How can I add more flavor to my Alfredo sauce?
Enhance flavor by adding Italian herbs like oregano or basil,a pinch of nutmeg, or roasted garlic instead of raw. For depth, incorporate beef or chicken bouillon when cooking the meat.
My pasta is sticking together. What should I do?
If your pasta is sticking, it may be overcooked or sitting too long before adding to the sauce. Cook pasta until just al dente and toss with a tiny bit of olive oil if not adding to the sauce immediately. Always reserve some pasta water to help loosen pasta if needed.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
While challenging to replicate the exact richness of traditional Alfredo, you can create a dairy-free version using cashew cream, coconut cream, or dairy-free alternatives like almond milk thickened with dairy-free butter and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Beef Alfredo with Linguine is the ultimate comfort food that combines the hearty satisfaction of ground beef with the luxurious creaminess of a classic Alfredo sauce. What makes this dish truly special is how it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, entertaining guests, or simply treating yourself to something delicious, this recipe delivers exceptional flavor with minimal effort. The versatility allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs, while the clear instructions ensure success even for novice cooks. Master this Cheesy Beef Alfredo, and you’ll have a reliable, impressive dish in your culinary repertoire that’s sure to earn rave reviews whenever you serve it.
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Cheesy Beef Alfredo with Linguine
Cheesy Beef Alfredo with Linguine is a rich and creamy pasta dish made with ground beef, linguine, and a cheesy Alfredo sauce.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook linguine in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add ground beef, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat and add minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat and add heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth.
- Add linguine to the sauce, mixing well to coat. Stir in butter until melted and smooth.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste.
- This dish pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
