Description
This Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta recipe offers a comforting, hearty meal perfect for family dinners. Ground beef is cooked with aromatic spices and tomato paste, then simmered with diced tomatoes and beef broth to create a rich sauce. Cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan add a luscious creaminess that coats tender bowtie pasta. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s an easy stovetop dish bursting with flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
meat and vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
seasonings and liquids
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup beef broth
dairy
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
garnish
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown beef and sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon to crumble evenly. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate tomato paste and liquids: Add tomato paste to the skillet and stir to combine thoroughly with the meat mixture. Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Add cream cheese: Reduce heat to low, add the softened cream cheese cubes, and stir continuously until fully melted and combined into the sauce.
- Finish sauce with cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth, rich, and creamy in texture.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet and carefully toss until each piece is well coated with the creamy beef sauce.
- Heat through: Continue cooking the combined pasta and sauce for an additional 2 to 3 minutes over low heat to ensure everything is warmed through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness, then serve immediately for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef to vary the flavor.
- For added nutrition, stir in baby spinach or peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
