Description
This Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is a deliciously rich and comforting dish combining tender ground beef with a creamy Parmesan garlic sauce, served over perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. Enhanced with aromatic spices and fresh parsley, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Seasonings and Sauce Base
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta and Dairy
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup half and half (or whole milk)
Garnish
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Brown the 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. Drain any excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, and the garlic releases its fragrance.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Let the mixture cook for another minute to blend the flavors well.
- Create the Sauce Base: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt fully. Then pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly, concentrating the flavor.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions in a separate pot. Drain well and set aside once cooked al dente.
- Make it Creamy: Once the broth has reduced a bit, stir in the half and half or whole milk, followed by the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and the cheese has fully melted.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the sauce. Stir everything together and allow the flavors to meld for another 2-3 minutes over low heat.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet. Toss and stir well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy Parmesan garlic sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta hot and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for a refreshing pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half with whole milk or use a low-fat milk alternative.
- You can prepare the pasta one minute less than package instructions for a firmer texture before tossing in the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a mild flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet cooking and stovetop boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Creamy beef pasta, Parmesan garlic pasta, Bowtie pasta recipe, Ground beef pasta dish, Comfort food pasta
