Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender bowtie pasta with savory ground beef in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, this recipe is family-friendly, budget-conscious, and easy to customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free option available
Pasta
Meat
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk or cream
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling the bowtie pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Lower the heat and add milk or cream, then gradually stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth, creating a luscious sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked bowtie pasta in the cheese and beef sauce until every piece is coated evenly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish out your Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta immediately for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use fresh cheese: shredding your own cheese melts better and tastes fresher than pre-shredded options.
- Don’t overcook pasta: aim for al dente to brighten the bite and prevent mushiness after mixing.
- Drain the beef well: removing excess fat avoids greasy sauce and keeps flavors balanced.
- Season as you go: taste and adjust salt and pepper at each step for the best flavor depth.
- Simmer gently: maintain low heat when melting cheese to avoid curdling or separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: cheesy beef pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, quick dinner, family meal, comfort food, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, budget-friendly dinner