Description
This creamy ground beef and bowtie pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food, combining savory seasoned beef with a rich, cheesy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it’s a hearty meal that satisfies cravings and feeds the family with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
For Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 10-12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Beef and Onions: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onions are soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the aromas are released. Add tomato paste and cook another minute, stirring frequently to blend flavors.
- Simmer with Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes to develop a rich sauce.
- Make it Creamy: Lower heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce.
- Serve: Dish out the pasta while warm, garnished with chopped parsley if using, for a fresh, colorful finish.
Notes
- For a lighter dish, substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Add fresh or sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or other veggies for extra nutrition and texture.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
