🍝 Creamy Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
A rich, comforting pasta dish made with tender ground beef, bowtie pasta, creamy sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough for a family meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) bowtie pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter or cooking oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
👩🍳 How to Make It
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package directions until tender but still slightly firm.
Before draining, save about ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter or oil, followed by the chopped onion.
Cook for about 2–3 minutes, then add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it is thoroughly browned.
Add the minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute.
3. Create the Sauce
Stir the tomato sauce into the beef mixture and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
Reduce the heat and add the heavy cream and milk. Stir well until everything is combined.
Let the sauce gently simmer for a few minutes. Avoid boiling it aggressively, as the dairy can separate.
4. Add the Cheese
Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cheddar and mozzarella.
Continue stirring until the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add Parmesan if you want a stronger cheesy flavor.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
5. Combine Everything
Add the cooked bowtie pasta directly to the skillet.
Gently toss the pasta with the beef and creamy cheese sauce until every piece is well coated.
Let everything cook together for 1–2 minutes so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce.
6. Serve
Transfer the pasta to serving plates and sprinkle with fresh parsley. For extra cheesiness, add a little Parmesan on top.
🧀 Easy Tips for Extra Creaminess
- Use freshly shredded cheese when possible because it melts more smoothly.
- Don’t boil the cream sauce after adding the cheese.
- Reserve some pasta water—it can loosen the sauce while helping it cling to the pasta.
- Add a small amount of extra Parmesan for a richer flavor.
- For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Serve this creamy beef pasta with garlic bread, a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli.
⭐ Final Result
You’ll have creamy, cheesy bowtie pasta with savory seasoned beef in every bite—a warm and filling meal that’s especially good straight from the skillet.
