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Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta - featured image

A quick and comforting family dinner featuring tender ground beef, buttery garlic, and a creamy parmesan sauce tossed with bowtie pasta. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Reserved 1/2 cup pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions (10-12 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, break up with a spatula, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the beef and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add butter to the pan and let it melt. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine and scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken.
  6. Gradually sprinkle in grated parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Add drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the beef and sauce. Toss everything together until pasta is fully coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce. Use freshly grated parmesan for best texture. For gluten-free, substitute with GF pasta. Add veggies like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition. Adjust garlic and seasoning to taste. Leftovers store well and can be reheated with a splash of broth or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef pasta, parmesan garlic pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, easy family dinner, 30-minute meal, comfort food, creamy pasta, kid-friendly dinner