Description
Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta is a comforting American-Italian main course featuring tender bowtie pasta tossed in a rich, cheesy sauce with browned ground beef, aromatic spices, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the beef and onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and finely chopped yellow onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant to develop deep flavors.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, ensuring the beef is evenly coated and the paste slightly caramelizes.
- Simmer with broth and cream: Pour in beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for 3–4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and become creamy.
- Incorporate cheeses: Reduce heat to low and mix in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses. Stir until the cheeses have melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat all the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the dish is heated through.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra vegetables, you can stir in baby spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers with the sauce during the simmering step.
- Ground turkey or Italian sausage may be substituted for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
