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cheesy rigatoni beef carbonara creamy pasta dish

Cheesy Rigatoni Beef Carbonara

A creamy, hearty pasta dish made with rigatoni, seasoned beef, eggs, and cheese. This beginner-friendly carbonara-style recipe delivers rich flavor using simple ingredients and easy steps, perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g rigatoni pasta
  • 300 g ground beef
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet or frying pan
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned. Add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper, then cook for another 1–2 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino (if using), and mozzarella until smooth.
  4. Add the drained pasta to the pan with the beef and turn off the heat completely.
  5. Slowly pour in the egg and cheese mixture while tossing quickly to coat the pasta evenly without scrambling.
  6. Add reserved pasta water gradually and stir until the sauce becomes creamy and glossy. Serve immediately.

Notes

Turn off heat before adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling. Use reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce. Add mozzarella for extra creaminess or a splash of cream if you want a more forgiving texture. For a baked version, top with cheese and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes.