Pin it
Bow tie pasta with zesty beef and cheese in garlicky butter blends al dente farfalle, flavorful ground beef, and a buttery garlic sauce into one mouthwatering meal. This soul-warming pasta dish hits the sweet spot between easy and fancy, turning simple kitchen staples into a knockout dinner that'll have everyone rushing to grab a seat at your table.
We stumbled on this dish during a crazy-busy week, and it's now our favorite comfort food. I can't help but smile when I see how excited my kids get just smelling that garlicky butter sauce cooking, turning regular weeknight dinners into something special.
Essential Ingredient Breakdown
- Bow Tie Pasta: Go for good farfalle that won't fall apart when cooked, they're little pockets that catch all that yummy sauce
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 mix works best for juicy flavor without swimming in grease
- Fresh Garlic: Skip the jar stuff and grab whole garlic bulbs for that deep, amazing smell
- Butter: Splurge on European-style with higher fat for an extra rich sauce
- Cheese Mix: Sharp cheddar plus mozzarella gives you both knockout flavor and that stretchy melt
Putting It All Together
- Getting Started:
- Fill a big pot with water, add plenty of salt, and bring it to a bubbling boil. Cook your bow ties until they're just firm to the bite, keeping their cute shape and some texture.
- Making The Meat Magic:
- Grab a wide pan and cook your ground beef until it's nicely browned, breaking it into small, even pieces. This step builds tons of flavor that makes everything else taste better.
- Creating The Sauce:
- Melt butter in a pan and cook your freshly chopped garlic until it smells amazing and turns light gold, but watch it closely so it doesn't burn and get bitter.
- Bringing It Together:
- Mix your cooked pasta with the seasoned beef, then pour in that fragrant garlic butter. Add cheese bit by bit, letting it melt into a creamy coating that brings everything together.
- Last Touches:
- Taste and add salt or pepper if needed, making sure all flavors come through. Let it sit for a minute before serving so the sauce thickens up and sticks to everything perfectly.
Pin it
When I first started cooking this dish, I learned the hard way that when you add things really matters. My neighbor from Italy told me that adding a bit of the starchy pasta water makes the sauce silky smooth, just like they do in fancy restaurants.
Great Side Dishes
Make your meal even better with a fresh Caesar salad or some toasted ciabatta bread rubbed with garlic. Want a complete dinner? Add some roasted broccoli that can scoop up extra sauce in its little florets. Adults might enjoy a medium-bodied red wine alongside their plate.
Mix It Up
Change things around by adding cooked mushrooms for earthiness, or toss in some baby spinach that softens perfectly in the warm sauce. Want some heat? Throw in red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños. You can also swap the beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey to get totally different flavors.
Keeping Leftovers
Store what's left in a sealed container, where it'll stay good for about three days in your fridge. When you warm it up, add a splash of milk to bring back that creamy texture. If you're into meal prep, divide it into separate containers before putting it away.
I've tweaked this recipe for years and found that these simple ingredients somehow create amazing flavors together. Whether it's just a regular family dinner or you're feeding guests, this cheesy beef bow tie pasta always hits the spot. Watching everyone at the table twirling forks through that creamy sauce, coming back for seconds, makes all the little cooking details totally worth it.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What kind of pasta can I swap in?
- Try using penne, rotini, or another medium pasta that holds the sauce well if you don't have bowties.
- → How can I keep the sauce from getting too thick?
- Save some pasta cooking water and add it a little at a time to thin out the sauce to your taste.
- → Can this be prepped in advance?
- Yes! Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk on the stovetop to get the creamy texture back.
- → What veggies go well in this?
- Add spinach, mushrooms, roasted peppers, or peas to sneak in extra flavor and nutrients.
- → Is it fine to use ground turkey instead?
- Sure! Ground turkey is a great lighter option, just season it generously since it's less flavorful than beef.