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Creamy parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta served in a white bowl topped with fresh parsley and grated parmesan

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

A rich and comforting one-skillet pasta dish made with ground beef, fresh parmesan, heavy cream, and garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz bowtie pasta Cook al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend recommended
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes optional, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Grater
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Keep the heat low to avoid burning the garlic.
  4. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Gradually stir in the grated parmesan, letting each addition melt fully before adding more. Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir to combine. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Reserve pasta water before draining to thin the sauce without losing flavor. Brown the beef well for deeper taste. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Do not overcook the pasta as it continues cooking in the sauce.