Description
This Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter is a quick and satisfying dish featuring savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. It’s the perfect easy sheet pan dinner alternative that comes together in one pan for busy nights, delivering comfort food with a gourmet feel.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 lb 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
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 additional cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. This should take around 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat for a lighter dish.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Create the Garlic Butter Sauce: Remove the beef mixture from the pan and set it aside. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the additional minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Build the Sauce Base: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Slowly add the milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Let it simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Melt in the Cheese: Lower the heat and stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until they melt into a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Combine and Finish: Return the beef and cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything until evenly coated in the garlic butter cheese sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutrition and texture.
- Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother melt.
- For a spicy version, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg