Description
This Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta combines savory ground beef with a rich, creamy Parmesan and garlic sauce tossed with tender bowtie pasta. Enhanced with herbs and a hint of heat, it’s a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Fats and Liquids
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3/4 cup half and half (or whole milk)
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the beef mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add seasonings: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Let it cook for another minute to blend all flavors well.
- Create the base sauce: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely. Then, pour in the beef broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot. Drain once cooked and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the half and half or whole milk into the skillet. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and the cheese melts completely.
- Season the sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer for another 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy Parmesan garlic sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half with whole milk or a lower fat milk alternative.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields better melting and flavor than pre-grated varieties.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Creamy Parmesan, Garlic Beef Pasta, Bowtie pasta recipe, Comfort food, Weeknight dinner
