Description
Indulgent Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta is a comforting and rich dish perfect for cozy nights. This flavorful recipe combines tender bowtie pasta with savory ground beef, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a luscious creamy cheese sauce made with mozzarella and Parmesan. Enhanced with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, it delivers a satisfying meal in about 40 minutes that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle) (substitute with penne or rotini if needed)
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound Ground Beef (substitute with ground turkey or sausage)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (fresh mozzarella works well too)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Pecorino Romano can be a substitute)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (canned diced tomatoes can be used)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 medium Onion (diced; shallots can replace for sweeter taste)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (can substitute with butter)
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (fresh ground is best)
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking the meat apart, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften and release their juicy sweetness, blending with the beef flavors.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the meat and tomatoes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Reduce the heat further to low. Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese slowly until melted and creamy, resulting in a rich sauce coating the ingredients beautifully.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet, tossing it gently in the creamy sauce until evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish as garnish. Serve hot and enjoy the indulgent, creamy flavors perfect for a cozy dinner.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or sausage for ground beef to vary the protein.
- Use fresh mozzarella or Pecorino Romano as substitutes for the cheeses for different flavor profiles.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Canned diced tomatoes can replace fresh cherry tomatoes if needed.
- Adjust Italian seasoning and black pepper according to taste preference.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give the dish a subtle kick.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
