Description
This rich and creamy cheesy beef and bowtie pasta in garlic butter is a comforting dish packed with flavor. The savory ground beef, tender pasta, and velvety garlic butter sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, create a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Beef:
- 12 oz (340g) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 additional cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef, and sauté until the onion becomes soft, about 3 minutes. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Make the sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the cheeses to melt and the sauce to become smooth.
- Combine pasta and beef: Add the cooked pasta and beef mixture into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can add more garlic to the sauce for an extra garlic kick if you love garlic flavor.
- For a lighter version, use a lower-fat milk or reduced-fat cheese, though the sauce may be less creamy.
- Add more red pepper flakes if you like some heat!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian