Sometimes the best meals are the ones that come together in a flash yet taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter is one of those dishes comforting, flavorful, and sure to please the whole family. Picture tender bowtie pasta coated in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, paired with juicy ground beef and finished off with a generous helping of melted cheddar and Parmesan cheese. It’s like your favorite pasta and cheesy beef casserole all in one!

I first made this dish on a busy weekday when I had a craving for something creamy, cheesy, and hearty, but didn’t want to spend hours preparing dinner. I had some ground beef in the fridge, and the rest of the ingredients were simple staples. The result was so comforting and delicious, it immediately became one of my go-to recipes for busy nights. Now, it’s a crowd-pleaser in our home, and I’m sure it will become one in yours too!

Whether you’re cooking for your family on a weeknight or making something special for a gathering, this dish is bound to hit the spot.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Beef and Pasta:

1 lb bowtie pasta
1 lb ground beef
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Preparation:

Step 1: Cook the Bowtie Pasta

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the bowtie pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). Once the pasta is done, drain it and set it aside, but make sure to reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Break the meat apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté it for about 1-2 minutes, until it’s fragrant but not burned. Be careful not to overcook the garlic, as it can become bitter.

Step 4: Combine the Cream and Cheeses

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine with the garlic and butter. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes. Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency to your liking. Stir in the garlic powder and taste, adjusting the salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5: Toss the Pasta and Beef

Add the cooked bowtie pasta and ground beef to the skillet with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and beef are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Plate the cheesy beef and pasta mixture, then garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately, and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!

Variations:

One of the beauties of this Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter recipe is its flexibility. Here are a few ideas to customize the dish based on your preferences:

Add Vegetables:
- Incorporate some vegetables into the mix, such as sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli. These will add extra flavor and nutrients.
Use Different Cheese:
- If cheddar isn’t your favorite, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or even a sharp blue cheese for a more intense flavor.
Make it Spicy:
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some diced jalapeños for a kick of heat. This will elevate the flavors and add a bit of excitement to the dish.
Gluten-Free Option:
- Substitute the bowtie pasta for a gluten-free variety, such as rice pasta or corn-based pasta, to make this dish gluten-free.
Vegetarian Version:
- Replace the ground beef with plant-based meat or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. Mushrooms, when chopped finely, provide a meaty texture and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the garlic butter sauce.

Cooking Notes:

Beef Tips: Ground beef can release a lot of fat as it cooks. Be sure to drain the excess fat after cooking to keep the dish from being greasy. If you prefer leaner beef, use ground turkey or chicken instead.
Garlic Tips: The garlic is the star of the show in this dish, so use fresh garlic for the best flavor. If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder can work as a substitute, but fresh is always better for this kind of sauce.
Creamy Sauce Consistency: If you find that your sauce has thickened too much, simply add some reserved pasta water or a little extra heavy cream to loosen it up.
Cheese Notes: When adding the cheese, make sure to stir constantly to prevent the cheese from clumping or separating. The creamy consistency comes from gently melting the cheese into the sauce.

Serving Suggestions:

This dish is a one-pot wonder, but if you want to make it even more special, consider pairing it with a few sides:

Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a great way to balance the richness of the pasta. Try a simple salad with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a balsamic dressing.
Garlic Bread: No pasta dish is complete without garlic bread! Serve this with crispy, buttery garlic bread for a hearty meal.
Roasted Vegetables: Serve this with some roasted vegetables, like asparagus, carrots, or zucchini, for a healthy and vibrant addition to the meal.

Tips for Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter Recipe:

Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a little extra cream or water to loosen the sauce.
Meal Prep: You can cook the ground beef and garlic butter sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just toss the pasta in when you’re ready to eat!
Freezing: If you have leftovers, this dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little cream to restore the sauce’s smooth texture.

Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving):

Calories: 570
Protein: 30g
Sodium: 750mg

Details:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

FAQs:

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! While bowtie pasta works wonderfully here, you can substitute it with penne, rotini, or any pasta shape you like. Just make sure to cook it al dente for the best texture.

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes! Ground turkey is a great leaner alternative to beef, and it will work well with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Just be sure to season it well to compensate for the milder flavor of turkey.

Q: How do I keep the sauce from separating?
A: To avoid a broken sauce, stir the cheese in slowly over low heat and make sure the cream is simmering before adding the cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese is fully melted into the sauce.

Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time by cooking the beef and preparing the garlic butter sauce. Then, just cook the pasta and combine everything when you’re ready to serve.

Conclusion:

Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter is the ultimate comfort food for busy nights when you need something satisfying, delicious, and quick. The combination of savory beef, creamy cheese, and garlicky butter is irresistibly good, and the bowtie pasta is the perfect vessel for soaking up all that flavor. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or enjoying it as a weeknight treat, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Give it a try This Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter Recipe, and let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you make any fun variations of your own.

Happy cooking!

Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta in Garlic Butter

Author: Imili Johnson
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 1x

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