Hearty Beef And Bowtie Pasta Recipe

Luscious Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering bowtie pasta recipe that blends tender beef and rich, velvety sauce.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you fold creamy goodness into perfectly cooked pasta shells.

Each forkful promises a delightful dance of flavors that will make your taste buds sing with joy.

The hearty combination of savory beef and silky sauce creates a meal that feels both indulgent and satisfying.

Home cooks will love how quickly this dish comes together with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Simple yet impressive, this pasta promises to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Dive into this delectable dish and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 580 kcal

Servings: 5

Items Needed For Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta

For Pasta Base:
  • Bowtie Pasta: Holds sauce beautifully with its playful shape, perfect for trapping rich flavors.
For Protein and Aromatics:
  • Ground Beef, Diced Onion, Minced Garlic: Hearty protein with sweet onions and zesty garlic creating a robust flavor foundation.
For Liquid and Seasoning:
  • Diced Tomatoes, Beef Broth, Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Juicy tomatoes and rich broth layering deep Mediterranean-inspired taste with warm, smoky undertones.
For Creamy Texture:
  • Heavy Cream, Shredded Cheese: Silky cream and melty cheese transforming the sauce into a luxurious, velvety coating.
For Fresh Finish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright, green herb adding a crisp, clean note to balance the rich, creamy sauce.

Tools To Prepare Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta

  • Large Skillet or Pot: Essential for cooking ground beef and creating the sauce, providing ample space for all ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring beef and mixing ingredients without scratching the pan.
  • Colander: Crucial for draining pasta after cooking, ensuring no excess water remains.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings like salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese that needs shredding for the creamy sauce.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.

Directions For Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta

  • Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot and cook bowtie pasta until perfectly tender. Once done, drain and set aside, ready for the delicious sauce.

  • Beef Foundation

Heat a skillet and start browning ground beef with diced onions. Let the meat sizzle and develop rich, deep flavors. Toss in minced garlic for an aromatic boost that fills the kitchen with mouthwatering scents.

  • Flavor Explosion

Pour in diced tomatoes and splash of beef broth. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and smoked paprika to create a robust sauce. Let everything simmer and meld together, creating a tantalizing base for the dish.

  • Creamy Transformation

Lower the heat and introduce heavy cream, stirring gently. Fold in shredded cheese until the sauce becomes velvety smooth and luxuriously rich. Watch as the sauce transforms into a gorgeous, silky coating.

  • Final Symphony

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring every bowtie is generously covered. The pasta will absorb the incredible flavors, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

  • Serving Delight

Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot and irresistibly tempting.

Helpful Notes For Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta

  • Pasta Perfection: Cook bowtie pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure ideal texture that holds sauce beautifully.
  • Beef Browning Technique: Avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking ground beef, which helps achieve a deeper, richer caramelization and prevents steaming.
  • Cream Stability Trick: Reduce heat to low when adding cream to prevent separation and maintain a silky, smooth sauce consistency.
  • Cheese Melting Magic: Add shredded cheese gradually and stir constantly for a seamless, lump-free sauce that coats pasta evenly.
  • Low-Carb Option: Replace bowtie pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta and verify that beef broth is certified gluten-free to make the entire dish safe for sensitive diets.
  • Vegetarian Twist: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the creamy sauce's rich flavor profile.

Serving Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta At Mealtime

  • Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this hearty pasta as the star of your family meal, creating a warm and inviting dinner atmosphere that brings everyone together around the table.
  • Gourmet Salad Pairing: Complement the rich, creamy pasta with a crisp green salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness.
  • Bread Lover's Delight: Accompany the pasta with warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, adding an extra layer of comfort to the meal.
  • Wine Enthusiast's Choice: Enhance the dining experience with a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Merlot, which pairs perfectly with the beef and creamy sauce.

Keeping Creamy Beef And Bowtie Pasta Fresh

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Cool the dish completely before sealing to avoid condensation.
  • Optimal Storage Duration: Refrigerated portions stay delicious for 3-4 days when kept in sealed containers. For best taste and texture, consume within the first two days.
  • Smart Freezing Technique: Freeze individual servings in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for up to 2 months. Separate pasta and sauce if possible to preserve the best quality when reheating.
  • Reheating Magic: Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in a skillet with a splash of beef broth or cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent dry spots.
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Hearty Beef And Bowtie Pasta Recipe

Hearty Beef And Bowtie Pasta Recipe


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4.6 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Comforting beef and bowtie pasta delivers rich, hearty flavors perfect for family dinners. Savory meat and tender noodles combine in a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 12 oz (340g) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Submerge bowtie pasta in rapidly boiling salted water until achieving al dente perfection, then drain and set aside.
  2. Meat Foundation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Sauté ground beef and onions until meat caramelizes and onions turn translucent, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to infuse for one minute.
  3. Flavor Layering: Incorporate diced tomatoes with their natural juices and beef broth. Enhance with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and cracked pepper. Simmer the mixture, allowing ingredients to meld into a robust sauce.
  4. Cream Transformation: Reduce heat to low, gently fold in heavy cream, stirring consistently. Gradually blend shredded cheese to create a silky, luxurious sauce that envelops the skillet’s surface.
  5. Final Fusion: Reunite pasta with the sumptuous beef mixture, ensuring each bowtie pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and creamy consistency.

Notes

  • Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook bowtie pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect bite that holds sauce beautifully without becoming soggy.
  • Prevent Meat Overcooking: Brown ground beef quickly on high heat to lock in flavors and maintain moisture, avoiding dry or tough meat texture that can compromise dish quality.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation or graininess, stirring gently until smooth and completely integrated into the sauce.
  • Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for lighter versions, use ground turkey as a leaner protein alternative, or swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to accommodate different dietary needs.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 750mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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