Garlic Butter Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef
A simple, comforting, and quick weeknight meal featuring bowtie pasta, ground beef, and a savory garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy evenings and always a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Pot For cooking pasta
- Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring spoons
- Airtight container For storage
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 lb ground beef lean beef can be used
- 2 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 cup beef broth for the sauce
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for warmth
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook bowtie pasta according to package directions. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off excess grease.
- Add diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture and toss to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve pasta in bowls, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
This recipe is easily adaptable. For a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef and add more vegetables or lentils. For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter or a splash of heavy cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.