Description
This creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal featuring browned ground beef, garlic, and onion in a savory sauce made with beef broth, Parmesan cheese, and half and half. The sauce is perfectly seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and a hint of red pepper flakes, then tossed with tender bowtie pasta for a comforting Italian-American dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Seasonings and Sauces
- 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
Dairy and Broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup half and half (or whole milk)
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta
- 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 Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Let the mixture cook for another minute to combine the flavors.
- Add Butter and Simmer: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt, then pour in the beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Cook Pasta Separately: Meanwhile, cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions in a separate pot, draining once cooked and setting it aside.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Once the broth has reduced a bit, stir in the half and half (or whole milk), and add in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce becomes creamy and the cheese has melted.
- Season Sauce: Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together, allowing the flavors to meld together for another 2-3 minutes.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Continue stirring until the pasta is evenly coated and everything is well mixed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute half and half with whole milk for a lighter version.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the browned beef to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice fresh flavor and color contrast, but it can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Parmesan, garlic, beef, bowtie pasta, creamy pasta, one-pan dinner, Italian, quick dinner
