Description
This Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta is a cozy weeknight dinner loaded with melty mozzarella, sharp Parmesan, and a velvety sauce that hugs every farfalle. Ready in 30 minutes, this cheesy pasta with ground beef is family-friendly, comforting, and perfect for busy nights. Keywords: creamy ground beef bowtie pasta, mozzarella, parmesan, cheesy pasta, weeknight dinner, easy skillet pasta.
Ingredients
12 oz bowtie pasta
1 lb ground beef (80–90% lean)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp fine salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook bowtie pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Stir in onion; sauté until translucent, 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using); stir to bloom the spices.
5. Add drained diced tomatoes; simmer 2 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low; pour in heavy cream, stirring until slightly thickened and steamy.
7. Add mozzarella and Parmesan in small handfuls, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
8. Toss in cooked pasta; stir to coat. If sauce is too thick, loosen gradually with splashes of reserved pasta water.
9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
10. Serve hot, topped with parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Fresh-grate the cheeses—pre-shredded can make sauces grainy.
Salt your pasta water well; it’s the first layer of seasoning.
Use pasta water, not broth, to thin—the starch keeps things creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 110