Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner: rich, flavorful, comforting and incredibly easy to make. Tender bowtie pasta is tossed in a silky garlic cream sauce with perfectly seasoned ground beef and plenty of Parmesan. It’s hearty enough for a family dinner, budget-friendly and ideal for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of prep.
Prep Time: ~10 minutes
Cook Time: ~20 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Optional: fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Step-By-Step Instructions
➜ Cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
➜ In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, seasoning with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and smoked paprika.
➜ Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
➜ Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir well, reduce heat and let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.
➜ Add grated Parmesan and butter, stirring until melted and creamy. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water.
➜ Toss the cooked bowtie pasta directly into the sauce, coating evenly.
➜ Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Pro Tips (FAQ-Style)
Can I make this lighter?
Yes—use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the Parmesan slightly for a lighter sauce.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely. Broccoli, peas, mushrooms or spinach taste great and help stretch the meal inexpensively.
Will other pasta shapes work?
Yes—penne, rotini, shells or rigatoni work perfectly with this creamy beef sauce.
Nutrition Summary
A creamy beef and pasta dish combining ground beef, Parmesan and garlic sauce for a hearty, filling dinner.
Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar
1 bowl | ~540 kcal | ~28 g | ~47 g | ~28 g | ~3 g | ~4 g
Nutrition facts are estimated.
