Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

There’s something magical about a pasta dish that comes together in one pan, filling your kitchen with the aroma of garlic and savory beef. This creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta is exactly that kind of magic. It’s a celebration of straightforward, hearty ingredients transforming into a meal that feels special, yet is utterly achievable on any given Tuesday. As one of the most reliable foods to make with ground beef, it turns an affordable protein into a creamy, dreamy dinner that everyone from toddlers to adults will happily devour. It’s comfort food, made easy, and it’s about to become your new family favorite.

This creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta is built on a foundation of flavor logic anyone can master. We start by building a rich, savory base with the beef and aromatics, then create a luxuriously smooth sauce that clings to every nook of the bowtie pasta. The result is a cohesive, satisfying dish that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours of time to create a memorable meal. It’s a perfect example of how simple meals with ground beef can be the star of your weekly dinner rotation.

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Ingredients List

Creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta begins with a short list of ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand. This is the beauty of recipes using beef and pantry staples—they make for cheap meals on a budget dinners easy.

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 12 ounces farfalle (bowtie) pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 4-5 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Smart Swaps:

• Pasta: Any short pasta like penne or rotini works well.
• Beef: Ground turkey or Italian sausage are fantastic alternatives.
• Cream: For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half or whole milk (the sauce will be slightly less thick).
• Cheese: A good quality pre-grated Parmesan works in a pinch, but freshly grated melts more smoothly and has better flavor.

Timing

One of the biggest wins for this creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta is its speed. It’s a true weeknight hero.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

This makes it about 30% faster than many traditional baked pasta casseroles, putting a hearty, from-scratch dinner on the table in well under an hour. It’s a lifesaver for a dinner for family of 5 on a busy evening.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for a perfectly executed creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta every single time.

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions for al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
2. Brown the Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease if needed.
3. Build the Flavor Base: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika (if using).
4. Create the Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, using your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—that’s pure flavor! Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream.
5. Bring it All Together: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it melts smoothly into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss until every piece is coated in the creamy parmesan garlic beef sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Pro Tip: Always reserve that pasta water! The starch helps emulsify the sauce, making it silkier and helping it cling to the pasta beautifully.

Nutritional Information

A serving of this creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta provides a balanced and satisfying meal. (Approximations per serving, assuming 6 servings.)

• Calories: ~580
• Protein: 32g (Excellent from the ground beef and Parmesan)
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fat: 28g
• Key Notes: The dish is a good source of calcium from the dairy and Parmesan, and provides iron and B vitamins from the beef. For a lighter version, see the swaps in the Healthier Alternatives section below.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need any special tools for this creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta. A well-equipped home kitchen has everything required.

• Large Pot for boiling pasta.
• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven (at least 12 inches) with deep sides. This is crucial for comfortably combining all the ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula for stirring and breaking up the beef.
• Box Grater for fresh Parmesan cheese (highly recommended over pre-grated).
• Colander for draining the pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta earns its spot in your regular rotation for so many reasons.

1. One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup is a major win for any cook, especially on busy nights.
2. Family-Approved Flavor: The savory beef and creamy, cheesy sauce is a universal crowd-pleaser, making it a fantastic toddler friendly family dinner recipe.
3. Pantry-Friendly: It relies on affordable, long-lasting staples, making it a champion for cheap meals on a budget dinners easy.
4. Incredibly Adaptable: Easily tweak the ingredients to suit dietary needs or what you have available (see next section).
5. Comfort in a Bowl: It delivers the rich, satisfying taste of a restaurant-style pasta dish from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Love the flavor but want to adjust the creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta to fit your dietary goals? Here are some easy swaps.

• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bowtie or other short pasta shape. Ensure your beef broth is certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free/Lighter: Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a rich, dairy-free option. For the Parmesan, use a store-bought vegan Parmesan or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
• Higher Protein: Use a leaner ground beef or ground turkey. You can also stir in a cup of rinsed white beans or lentils with the pasta for an extra fiber and protein boost.
• Veggie-Packed: Add a cup of finely chopped spinach or kale when you add the pasta to wilt, or mix in a cup of roasted broccoli florets at the end.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta is a complete meal on its own, but a few simple additions can round out the table perfectly.

• With Bread: A slice of crusty garlic bread or a soft dinner roll is perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• Fresh Salad: A simple side salad with a bright, lemony vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. A classic Caesar salad would also be a fantastic pairing.
• Vegetable Sides: Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple medley of roasted carrots and zucchini make excellent, colorful additions to the plate.
• For Presentation: Serve family-style in a large, shallow bowl. Garnish with a extra crack of black pepper, a final sprinkle of Parmesan, and a generous handful of fresh parsley or basil.

If you love the creamy, Italian-inspired profile of this dish, you might also enjoy my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Cheesy Twisted Pasta for a poultry variation, or my ultra-fast 30-Minute Creamy Tortellini Carbonara Recipe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few small tweaks can make the difference between a good pasta and a great one. Here’s what to watch for with your creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta.

1. Overcooking the Pasta: Cook your bowties only to al dente. They will continue to soften slightly when tossed in the hot sauce. Mushy pasta can make the whole dish feel heavy.
2. Using Pre-Grated Parmesan from a Can: The anti-caking agents in these products can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly, leading to a grainy sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan from a block is worth the extra minute of effort.
3. Adding Cheese to Boiling Liquid: When you add the Parmesan, make sure the sauce is at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. High heat can cause the dairy to separate and the cheese to become oily.
4. Skipping the Pasta Water: That starchy liquid is culinary gold. It helps bind the sauce to the pasta and adjusts the consistency perfectly. Don’t pour it down the drain!
5. Underseasoning: Ground beef and pasta need a good amount of seasoning. Taste the sauce after adding the cheese and don’t be shy with salt and pepper. Remember, the pasta water also adds salt.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

This creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta makes fantastic leftovers, and it’s easy to prepare ahead.

• Refrigerating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it chills.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth, milk, or water to loosen the sauce back up. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
• Freezing: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note: The pasta texture may become slightly softer upon reheating.
• Meal Prep: You can brown the beef and onion mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for 2 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat the mixture and proceed with the sauce steps while your pasta cooks.

For another hearty, make-ahead ground beef dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, check out my Cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, that’s what this creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta is all about: creating a warm, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table without stressing the cook. It’s a testament to the power of simple recipes with ground beef and a handful of good ingredients. This dish proves that you can have a cozy, restaurant-worthy pasta night any night of the week. It’s food that feels like home.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your kitchen and becomes a trusted friend for those nights when you need something reliably delicious. If you’re looking for other ways to enjoy beef with big, comforting flavors, my Rosemary Garlic Roast Beef is a wonderful weekend project, or for a soup that tastes like lasagna, my High Protein Lasagna Soup is always a hit.

Give this creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta a try this week. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Share your photos and stories with me—you can find me over on Pinterest at @HarmonyMeal. Happy cooking.

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