Description
Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter is the perfect comfort food dish, combining tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich garlic butter sauce. With the melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite. It’s quick to make and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 additional cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
-
Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Remove the beef mixture from the skillet and set aside.
-
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it begins to thicken, about 3 minutes.
-
Combine the Pasta and Beef:
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add the cooked pasta and beef mixture to the skillet, tossing to coat everything evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
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Serve:
- Transfer the cheesy beef and bowtie pasta to serving bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Pasta Choice: If you don’t have bowtie pasta, feel free to substitute with any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or fusilli.
- Extra Flavor: For a bit more flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Make Ahead: You can cook and store the beef and sauce mixture ahead of time and then just reheat before adding the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Beef
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Cheesy Pasta, Beef Pasta, Garlic Butter Pasta, Bowtie Pasta, Comfort Food, Quick Dinner