Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 oz rigatoni pasta
02 - 1 lb beef sirloin or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - Salt and pepper, to taste
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 small onion, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ For the Sauce

07 - 1 cup beef broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

→ For Garnish

11 - Fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
02 - Season the beef pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until it begins to thicken.
05 - Return the seared beef to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Add the cooked rigatoni and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
06 - Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. Offer additional grated Parmesan at the table for those who enjoy extra cheese.

# Notes:

01 - For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-packaged grated varieties.
02 - The dish can be customized by adding vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
03 - Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often taste even better the next day.