Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef

by Nina Johnson August 8, 2025

Rich, creamy, and irresistibly comforting, this Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef is the perfect weeknight dinner for when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The tender rotini noodles perfectly catch every bit of the cheesy garlic butter sauce, while savory ground beef adds heartiness to every bite.

This dish brings together the best of both worlds: the creaminess of a cheese sauce with the aromatic depth of garlic butter. It’s the kind of meal that makes you go back for seconds—and maybe even thirds. Plus, it’s versatile enough to serve as a cozy dinner for the family or to impress guests at a casual get-together.

What Kind of Pasta Works Best for This Recipe?

While rotini is the star here thanks to its spiral shape that clings beautifully to the sauce, you can also experiment with other short pasta types like penne, fusilli, or cavatappi. These varieties offer plenty of nooks and crannies for the sauce to settle into, ensuring each forkful is as flavorful as the last.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef

Rotini Pasta – The spiral shape is perfect for holding onto every bit of sauce.
Ground Beef – Adds a savory, meaty richness that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
Garlic Butter – Infuses the entire dish with aromatic, buttery goodness.
Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese – A blend for both sharpness and gooey meltiness.
Heavy Cream – Brings the sauce to a luxuriously creamy texture.
Seasonings (salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning) – Layers of flavor that enhance every bite.
Fresh Parsley – For a pop of color and fresh finish.

How To Make the Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef

Step 1: Cook the Pasta to Perfection

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about a cup of the pasta water.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary, then set the beef aside.

Step 3: Create the Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic butter. Let it warm through for a couple of minutes before adding shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the cooked beef to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Serving and Storing Your Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef

This pasta is best served hot and fresh from the skillet, when the cheese sauce is at its creamiest. Pair it with a crisp side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan just before serving takes it to the next level.

To store, let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce’s creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of meat?

Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage make great alternatives.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter for a subtle kick.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce and pasta separately, then combine them just before serving for the best texture.

What kind of cheese works best?

A blend of cheddar and mozzarella is ideal, but you can experiment with gouda, provolone, or pepper jack for unique flavor.

Can I make it lighter?

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the cheese slightly for a lighter, yet still creamy, version.

Want More Pasta Ideas?

If you love this Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce and Ground Beef, you’ll also enjoy these comforting pasta recipes from my kitchen:

Bowtie Pasta with Creamy Velveeta Beef Sauce for another cheesy, meaty delight.
Garlic Parmesan Beef Spaghetti Pasta when you want a classic flavor with a garlic twist.
One-Pot Creamy Chicken Cheddar Ranch Pasta for a ranch-infused creamy pasta.
Cafeteria Noodles with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites for a buttery, nostalgic dish.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini in Parmesan Sauce for another rich and cozy rotini recipe.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add extra cheese or spice it up with chili flakes? Did you try a different pasta shape?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. For more tasty inspiration, check out my Pinterest page, Life with Nina.