Description
This Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta recipe combines tender ground beef with a rich, creamy tomato sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. A comforting, flavorful dish ready in just 35 minutes, perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Tomato and Cream Sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Season the Meat: Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, mixing well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juices, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and lets the flavors meld beautifully.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream or coconut cream and continue to simmer the sauce for an additional 2–3 minutes to make it rich and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely, creating a luscious, creamy texture.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the pasta warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use coconut cream if you prefer a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- For added veggies, consider stirring in spinach or mushrooms during the sauté step.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
