Hearty Cheesy Bowtie with Ground Beef Recipe

Irresistible Cheesy Bowtie with Ground Beef Recipe

Pasta nights just got a whole lot more exciting with this irresistible cheesy bowtie delight with ground beef recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

The combination of perfectly cooked bowtie pasta and seasoned ground beef creates a mouthwatering harmony of flavors.

Melted cheese blankets each noodle, turning an ordinary meal into a comforting feast.

Every forkful delivers a rich, savory experience that speaks directly to your hunger.

The dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and satisfying.

Crispy edges, creamy cheese, and hearty beef blend into a one-pan wonder that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing meal that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary celebration.

Flavor Tweaks for Richer Sauce and Tender Noodles

  • Meat Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for a different protein twist that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
  • Veggie Boost: Toss in some chopped spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini during the cooking process to add extra nutrition and color to your bowtie pasta.
  • Spice It Up: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne for those who love a bit of heat in their creamy pasta dishes.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, fontina, or gouda to create unique flavor profiles that make this dish your own signature recipe.

Serving This Bowtie Pasta as a Hearty Main

  • Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Serve this hearty pasta dish during movie or game nights when friends gather, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that sparks conversation and satisfies hungry guests.
  • Comfort Meal Companion: Pair the Cheesy Bowtie Delight with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread to transform it into a complete meal that offers balanced nutrition and delicious textures.
  • Leftover Magic Transformation: Store remaining portions in airtight containers for quick lunches or reheat gently in a skillet, adding a splash of cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and maintain its original rich flavor.
  • Family Dinner Champion: Present this dish in a large serving bowl at the center of the table, allowing everyone to scoop their own portions and enjoy the communal dining experience with its irresistible cheesy goodness.

Reheating and Storing This Pasta Without Clumps

  • Weekend Batch Cooking: Whip up this hearty dish on Sunday and enjoy delicious meals throughout the week. Divide into individual portions for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners that save time and reduce daily cooking stress.
  • Refrigerator Revival: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's creamy texture and prevent dryness. Gently warm in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Prepare a double batch and freeze portions in sealed containers for up to 3 months. Separate pasta and sauce if possible to maintain optimal texture when thawing. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
  • Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop onions and measure seasonings in advance to streamline cooking process. Keep pre-cooked ground beef in the freezer for faster meal assembly on busy weeknights. Grated cheese can be portioned and stored separately for quick meal finishing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 685 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Cheesy Bowtie With Beef

For Pasta Base:
  • Bowtie Pasta: Provides the perfect twisty shape to catch delicious sauce, choose a high-quality brand for best texture and authentic Italian feel.
For Protein and Aromatics:
  • Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Hearty ground beef creates a rich meaty base, while sweet onions and zesty garlic build deep, complex flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
For Flavor Enhancers and Creamy Elements:
  • Diced Tomatoes, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper, Heavy Cream, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Tangy tomatoes add brightness, Italian seasoning brings herbaceous notes, salt and pepper balance flavors, heavy cream creates luxurious silkiness, while mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses contribute creamy, sharp, and nutty undertones that make the sauce irresistibly smooth.
For Cooking Foundation:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking base with a subtle fruity note, helps prevent sticking and adds a hint of Mediterranean essence.

Utensils That Simplify Bowtie Pasta Cooking

  • Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and creating the creamy sauce, this pan will be your main cooking vessel.
  • Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients without scratching the skillet.
  • Colander: Needed to drain the bowtie pasta after cooking to ensure it's not waterlogged.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like heavy cream and seasonings.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for chopping onions and mincing garlic with precision.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients safely.

How to Cook Cheesy Beefy Pasta in One Pot

  • Pasta Preparation

Boil bowtie pasta until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, ready for the flavor explosion to come.

  • Beef Sizzle

In a sizzling skillet, brown ground beef until it’s crispy and delicious. Break it into juicy crumbles as it cooks.

  • Aromatic Boost

Toss in finely chopped onions and garlic. Let them dance and release their magical fragrance, softening into a heavenly base.

  • Flavor Fusion

Introduce diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of Italian seasonings. Let everything simmer and mingle, creating a rich and tantalizing sauce.

  • Creamy Transformation

Splash in heavy cream, stirring until the sauce thickens into a velvety blanket of deliciousness.

  • Cheesy Grand Finale

Reunite pasta with the luscious sauce. Shower generously with mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until cheese melts into a creamy wonderland that’ll make taste buds sing.

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Hearty Cheesy Bowtie with Ground Beef Recipe

Hearty Cheesy Bowtie with Ground Beef Recipe


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Bowtie pasta brings hearty ground beef and melted cheese together in this comforting classic. Rich Italian-inspired flavors promise satisfaction for hungry families seeking a quick weeknight meal you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • 12 oz (340 g) bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse bowtie pasta in rapidly boiling water, cooking until al dente. Drain and set aside, preserving the pasta’s perfect texture.
  2. Meat Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Introduce ground beef, browning comprehensively while fragmenting into fine crumbles, creating a rich and flavorful base.
  3. Aromatic Infusion: Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the sizzling meat mixture. Continue cooking until vegetables become translucent and release their enticing fragrance.
  4. Sauce Development: Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet, enhancing with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer gently, allowing flavors to intertwine and intensify.
  5. Creamy Transformation: Drizzle heavy cream into the bubbling sauce, stirring consistently until the mixture achieves a smooth, luxurious consistency that envelops the ingredients.
  6. Final Fusion: Carefully combine cooked pasta with the savory meat sauce, ensuring complete coating. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously, stirring until cheese melts into a creamy, irresistible blanket that promises a delectable culinary experience.

Notes

  • Pasta Perfection: Cook bowtie pasta just shy of al dente to prevent mushiness when mixing with sauce, ensuring a delightful texture in every bite.
  • Meat Browning Mastery: Drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent a greasy dish and concentrate the rich, meaty flavor.
  • Cream Sauce Secret: Add heavy cream slowly and stir constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, silky sauce consistency.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from heat when adding cheese to prevent overcooking, allowing it to melt gently and create a creamy, luxurious coating.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 685
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 42 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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