Creamy Dirty Spaghetti -

Creamy Dirty Spaghetti

Creamy Dirty Spaghetti combines tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, colorful bell peppers, garlic, and Parmesan in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s an easy, comforting dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: Approximately 560 kcal per serving

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup beef broth

¾ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion and bell peppers into small pieces and mince the garlic.

Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.

Brown the beef: Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Drain excess grease if necessary.

Cook the vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 4–5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.

Build the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until combined.

Make it creamy: Reduce the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well and allow the sauce to gently simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Add the Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Combine with spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss until every strand is coated. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.

Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the Creamy Dirty Spaghetti hot with extra Parmesan on top, if desired.

Notes

Use lean ground beef to prevent the sauce from becoming overly greasy.

Don't forget to reserve the pasta water before draining your spaghetti.

For extra heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce.

Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be substituted for the ground beef.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When reheating, add a splash of broth, milk, or cream to loosen the sauce.