Description
This hearty, flavorful Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta combines tender farfalle pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce that creates the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (16 oz) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10 recommended)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend (mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until no pink remains and the meat is nicely browned.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion to the browned beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juice and the tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Gradually add 1½ cups of the shredded cheese blend, reserving the remaining ½ cup for topping. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce, gently folding until every piece is coated in the rich, cheesy sauce. Allow the pasta to simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top and cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lower carb version, substitute half the pasta with roasted cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles.
- For a reduced fat option, use ground turkey breast (99% lean) instead of beef, skim milk thickened with 1 tablespoon cornstarch instead of heavy cream, and reduced-fat cheese.
- For a gluten-free adaptation, swap in your favorite gluten-free bowtie pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- When reheating, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water to restore the creamy consistency.
- The beef and sauce mixture (without cream and cheese) can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored separately from cooked pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta, farfalle pasta, ground beef pasta, family dinner, weeknight meal, cheese sauce pasta, one-pot meal, comfort food