Description
This creamy ground beef bowtie pasta is the perfect quick dinner idea when you need something rich, hearty, and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. Bowtie pasta is tossed with a cheesy, velvety sauce made with ground beef, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian herbs—making it one of the best easy recipes for families, weeknight meals, or even casual dinner parties. If you’re looking for food ideas that are fast, kid-friendly, and totally satisfying, this easy recipe hits every note.
Ingredients
454 g bowtie pasta (1 lb)
450 g ground beef (1 lb, 80/20)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
400 g diced tomatoes with juices (1 can, ~14 oz)
240 ml heavy cream (1 cup)
180 g shredded mozzarella (1 ½ cups)
60 g grated Parmesan (½ cup)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Gradually add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let it simmer for 2 more minutes to absorb flavor.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, drain a portion of the diced tomato liquid before adding.
Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded and improves sauce texture.
Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, quick dinner, ground beef pasta, easy recipe, bowtie pasta