Description
A comforting and flavorful Cheesy Beef and Bowtie Pasta cooked in garlic butter. This hearty dish combines perfectly cooked bowtie pasta with savory browned ground beef, melted cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, all enhanced with garlic and fresh parsley. It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add the bowtie pasta to the boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente, which should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain Pasta: Once the pasta is done cooking, drain the water completely and set the pasta aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked beef and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant and tender.
- Melt Butter: Add the butter to the skillet with the beef and garlic, allowing it to melt and meld with the other ingredients.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Stir in the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet, mixing well so the pasta is evenly coated with the beef, garlic, and butter mixture.
- Add Cheeses: Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheeses to the skillet and stir continuously until the cheeses melt fully and coat the pasta and beef mixture.
- Season: Season the cheesy beef and pasta with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, mixing thoroughly to distribute the seasonings.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a nice mild heat; adjust according to your spice preference.
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- To keep the pasta from sticking after draining, you can toss it lightly with a bit of olive oil.
- This dish can be customized by adding sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
