Description
A decadent and comforting pasta dish combining tender, seasoned ground beef, al dente bowtie pasta, and a velvety cheese sauce infused with the rich, savory flavor of garlic butter. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish balances hearty textures with creamy indulgence. Garnished with fresh herbs and Parmesan, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Ground Beef: 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- Cheese Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Garlic Butter:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Seasonings:
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
-
Prepare the Ground Beef:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat and set aside.
-
Make the Garlic Butter:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
-
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly pour the heavy cream into the garlic butter, stirring constantly. Gradually add the shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheese (if using), whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
-
Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss to coat. Stir in the seasoned ground beef and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne, rigatoni, or your preferred pasta.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the butter by half.
- Add cooked vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: ~540 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg