Creamy garlic butter beef penne with sausage and spinach delivers restaurant-quality comfort food that’s surprisingly simple to master at home. Tired of bland, watery pasta dishes that leave your family disappointed?
Hi, I’m Jack, and welcome to my kitchen! As the recipe developer behind Cooks Foody, I’ve spent years perfecting pasta recipes that bring people together around the dinner table. This creamy garlic butter beef penne recipe was born from my own frustration with lackluster weeknight dinners I wanted something rich, satisfying, and impressive enough for guests, yet simple enough for busy Tuesday nights.
After countless kitchen experiments testing different cuts of beef, sauce ratios, and cooking techniques, I discovered the secret to creating silky, restaurant-style pasta that clings perfectly to every piece of penne. You’ll learn my proven meat selection strategies, foolproof sauce techniques, and professional timing tips that guarantee perfect results every time.
Why This Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Recipe Works
This creamy garlic butter beef penne delivers exceptional flavor through careful ingredient balance, convenient one-pot preparation, and incredible versatility for any dining occasion.
• Uses affordable, easy-to-find cuts of beef that become incredibly tender • Ready in 30 minutes for maximum weeknight convenience
• Perfect for intimate dinners or feeding hungry weekend crowds • Rich garlic butter sauce clings beautifully to every piece of penne • Combines protein, vegetables, and carbs in one satisfying dish
Choosing the Right Meat for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Selecting proper beef cuts and sausage varieties ensures your creamy garlic butter beef penne achieves the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Best Cuts for This Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Recipe
Sirloin steak works beautifully for this creamy garlic butter beef penne because it stays tender when cut into bite-sized pieces and doesn’t overcook easily. Ground beef chuck provides rich flavor and creates hearty texture. Avoid lean cuts like eye of round they become tough in quick-cooking pasta dishes.
Buying Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Look for bright red beef with fine marbling throughout. Ask your butcher for freshly ground chuck with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor in your creamy garlic butter beef penne. Choose Italian sausage with natural casings for best texture.
Meat Substitutions in Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Swap ground turkey for beef chuck in lighter versions. Replace Italian sausage with chicken sausage or turkey sausage for reduced fat content while maintaining the signature flavor profile.
Ingredients & Prep for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne

Essential Meat Prep for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Success
Cut beef into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking throughout your creamy garlic butter beef penne. Remove sausage from casings and break into irregular chunks this creates better sauce adhesion than perfectly round pieces.
Core Ingredients for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pound sirloin steak, cubed
- 8 oz Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Pantry Staples
Keep these essentials stocked: high-quality olive oil for searing, real butter for richness, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Fresh garlic makes a dramatic difference over pre-minced varieties in this creamy garlic butter beef penne.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne

Follow these precise steps to ensure your creamy garlic butter beef penne turns out perfectly tender and flavorful every time.
Pre-Cooking Prep for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Excellence
Pat beef completely dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Bring meat to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking your creamy garlic butter beef penne. This ensures even cooking throughout.
Cooking Method for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear beef cubes for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove meats and cook pasta according to package directions for your creamy garlic butter beef penne base.
Sauce Development for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cream and beef broth, simmering until slightly thickened. Return meats to pan and add drained pasta for your creamy garlic butter beef penne assembly.
Final Assembly of Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Toss everything gently with Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach until spinach wilts. Season your finished creamy garlic butter beef penne with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
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Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Master these professional techniques to elevate your creamy garlic butter beef penne from good to extraordinary restaurant quality.
Avoiding Tough, Dry Meat in Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing beef cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding creates steam instead of browning, resulting in tough meat in your creamy garlic butter beef penne.
Essential Tool Recommendations for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet that retains heat evenly. A pasta fork helps toss ingredients without breaking delicate pieces. Keep a ladle nearby for adding pasta water to adjust sauce consistency in your creamy garlic butter beef penne.
Storage & Reheating Your Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Store leftover creamy garlic butter beef penne covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to restore the silky sauce texture.
Flavor Variations for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Customize your creamy garlic butter beef penne to suit different tastes and dietary preferences with these creative adaptations.
Spicy Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Twist
Add sliced jalapeños and extra red pepper flakes for heat. Include diced tomatoes and a splash of hot sauce to create a bold, fiery version of creamy garlic butter beef penne.
Keto-Friendly Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Alternative
Replace penne with spiralized zucchini or shirataki noodles for a low-carb creamy garlic butter beef penne. Increase the cream and add cream cheese for extra richness.
Global Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne Flavors
Create Mediterranean-style creamy garlic butter beef penne using sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. For Asian fusion, add soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil to transform the flavor profile completely.
Variation | Key Additions | Cooking Time | Flavor Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Classic Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne | Parmesan, spinach | 30 minutes | Rich & savory |
Spicy Version | Jalapeños, red pepper flakes | 30 minutes | Bold & fiery |
Mediterranean Style | Sun-dried tomatoes, olives | 35 minutes | Bright & herbaceous |
Keto-Friendly | Zucchini noodles, cream cheese | 25 minutes | Rich & low-carb |
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Transform your creamy garlic butter beef penne into a complete dining experience with these thoughtful accompaniments and presentation ideas.
Pair your creamy garlic butter beef penne with garlic bread or Caesar salad for a classic Italian-American feast. The crisp textures contrast beautifully with the rich, creamy pasta. For beverages, serve bold red varietals or sparkling water with lemon. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley make excellent garnishes that add color and freshness to each serving.
FAQs About Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne
Can I use frozen meat in my creamy garlic butter beef penne?
Thaw beef completely and pat dry before cooking your creamy garlic butter beef penne. Frozen meat releases excess moisture that prevents proper browning and can make the sauce watery.
How do I fix overcooked meat in creamy garlic butter beef penne?
If beef becomes tough, simmer it longer in the cream sauce with a splash of beef broth. The gentle heat and moisture will help tenderize overcooked meat in your creamy garlic butter beef penne.
Is this creamy garlic butter beef penne recipe safe for pregnant women?
Ensure your creamy garlic butter beef penne reaches proper internal temperature of 160°F for ground meat and 145°F for steak pieces. Use pasteurized dairy products for complete safety.
Can I make creamy garlic butter beef penne dairy-free?
Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese. The creamy garlic butter beef penne will have a slightly different flavor but remains delicious and satisfying.
How do I prevent the sauce from breaking in my creamy garlic butter beef penne?
Keep heat at medium-low when adding cream and don’t let it boil vigorously. If sauce separates, whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter to re-emulsify your creamy garlic butter beef penne sauce.
Conclusion
Fire up your stove and try this creamy garlic butter beef penne tonight! This recipe has revolutionized weeknight dinners for countless families, turning ordinary evenings into special occasions around the dinner table.
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Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne 5 Secret Restaurant Techniques
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This creamy garlic butter beef penne with sausage and spinach delivers restaurant-quality comfort food in your own kitchen. Rich, savory sauce coats tender beef and pasta perfectly for an unforgettable dinner experience.
Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta
1 pound sirloin steak, cubed
8 oz Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear beef cubes 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
4. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
5. Remove meats and set aside.
6. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
7. In same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
8. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
9. Pour in cream and beef broth, simmer until slightly thickened.
10. Return meats to pan with drained pasta.
11. Add Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach.
12. Toss gently until spinach wilts and sauce coats pasta.
13. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Notes
Use room temperature beef for even cooking.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing meat.
Reserve pasta water to thin sauce if needed.
Fresh Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated.
Serve immediately for best texture and temperature.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 542
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter beef penne, beef pasta, sausage pasta, comfort food