Description
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is a deliciously comforting and elegant dish combining tender ground beef, aromatic garlic, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. This hearty meal is easy to prepare, customizable to your taste preferences, and perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Bowtie Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water for later use.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Garlic: To the browned beef, add butter and finely minced garlic cloves. Stir frequently for about 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not burned, infusing the beef mixture with aromatic flavor.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 3–5 minutes. Gradually mix in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture for the perfect consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or cheese if desired. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan: Freshly grated cheese melts better and enhances flavor far beyond pre-grated versions.
- Salt your pasta water well: This seasons the pasta itself, deepening the overall flavor of the dish.
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water: This starchy water helps thin the sauce while keeping it silky and smooth.
- Cook garlic gently: Avoid high heat to prevent bitterness and ensure a mellow garlic flavor.
- Let the sauce simmer: Allowing the sauce to thicken properly locks in the creamy texture everyone loves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, parmesan, garlic, beef, bowtie pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian, weeknight dinner