1. Brown the Ground Beef

Place a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted and slightly bubbling, add the ground beef. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the meat into smaller pieces. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink and starts to brown.

Tip: If a lot of fat accumulates, feel free to drain some off—but leave a little for flavor.

2. Sauté Garlic and Onion

Once the beef is browned, add the minced garlic and chopped onion directly into the same pot. Stir everything together and cook for 2 more minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.

Note: Keep an eye on the heat—if the garlic starts to brown too quickly, reduce the temperature slightly to prevent burning.

3. Add Seasoning

Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef mixture evenly with the spices. This helps deepen the flavor of the whole dish early on.

4. Pour in the Broth

Add 1/2 cup of beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes. This reduces the liquid slightly and allows the flavors to meld.

Alternative: If you don’t have beef broth, chicken broth or vegetable broth will work just fine.

5. Stir in Cream and Parmesan

Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until everything is well combined. The sauce will start to thicken and develop a silky, rich texture in just a few minutes.

Note for beginners: If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer while stirring.

6. Add the Uncooked Pasta

This is the magic step that keeps everything in one pot. Add the pasta directly to the sauce mixture, making sure the noodles are mostly submerged. If needed, pour in a bit of water or more broth until the pasta is covered.

Cover the pot and cook according to the pasta package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking.

Key tip: If the sauce reduces too quickly and the pasta isn’t fully cooked, just add a little more liquid. Keep the lid on to trap steam and help the pasta cook evenly.

7. Finish and Serve

Once the pasta is tender and the sauce is creamy and clings to the noodles, remove the pot from the heat. Give everything a good final stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch, and serve hot.