Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta

This comforting Creamy Ground Beef and Bowtie Pasta combines simple ingredients to create a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Savory ground beef, perfectly seasoned with aromatic garlic and a hint of paprika, creates a rich foundation for tender bowtie pasta that cooks right in the same pot. The beef broth and heavy cream merge into a silky sauce that coats every piece of pasta, while melted cheddar cheese adds a final layer of indulgence. This one-pot wonder delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need a homemade meal that everyone will love.

I first made this recipe on a chilly winter afternoon when my kids were complaining of hunger but didn't want to wait for anything complicated. The moment I placed the steaming bowls on the table, the complaints turned to silence interrupted only by the sounds of eager eating. My youngest, who typically pushes pasta around his plate, asked for seconds before his older siblings had finished their firsts! My husband dubbed it "Hamburger Helper 2.0" but acknowledged it was "amazingly good for such simple ingredients." Now it's on regular rotation in our house, especially on those evenings when I need dinner on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor or comfort.

Key Ingredients

• Ground beef: Creates the hearty foundation of the dish; lean beef (90/10) provides flavor without excessive grease
• Onion and garlic: These aromatics build essential flavor depth; fresh garlic offers significantly more flavor than garlic powder
• Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and color to the dish; regular paprika works perfectly, but smoked paprika can add an interesting twist
• Beef broth: Forms the base of the sauce while infusing the pasta with rich flavor as it cooks
• Heavy whipping cream: Creates the silky, luxurious texture that makes this dish so comforting and satisfying
• Bowtie pasta (farfalle): The perfect shape for this dish as it holds the creamy sauce in its nooks and crannies
• Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully into the sauce, adding richness and a slightly tangy flavor that complements the beef

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Detailed Cooking Instructions

Step 1:

Begin by preparing your ingredients. Dice half a medium onion (about 1/2 cup) into small, uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Mince 2 teaspoons of fresh garlic, which is approximately 2 medium cloves. Having these ready before you start cooking will make the process smoother.

Step 2:

Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. No need to add oil as the fat from the beef will render during cooking. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef to the hot skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Step 3:

Immediately add the diced onions and minced garlic to the beef. This allows the aromatics to cook alongside the meat, infusing it with flavor from the beginning rather than adding them later. Cook this mixture for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to break the beef into small, even crumbles and to prevent the garlic from burning.

Step 4:

Once the beef is no longer pink and the onions have softened and become translucent, assess whether you need to drain any excess fat. With lean beef, this is often unnecessary, but if using a higher fat content beef, draining will prevent the final dish from becoming greasy.

Step 5:

Season the beef mixture with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the beef broth will add additional saltiness. Add 1 teaspoon of paprika, distributing it evenly throughout the meat mixture. This modest amount adds subtle depth without overwhelming the dish's flavors.

Step 6:

Pour in 3 cups of beef broth and 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, stirring to combine with the seasoned beef. The combination of broth and cream creates the perfect base for a rich sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully.

Step 7:

Add 3 cups of dry bowtie pasta (farfalle) directly to the liquid in the skillet. Stir gently to ensure all pasta is submerged in the liquid. This one-pot method allows the pasta to absorb the flavorful broth as it cooks, eliminating the need for a separate pasta pot.

Step 8:

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the steam, which helps cook the pasta evenly.

Step 9:

Simmer the covered pasta for 10-12 minutes, removing the lid every few minutes to stir. This prevents the pasta from sticking together and ensures even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the pasta brand and your preferred tenderness level.

Step 10:

Check the pasta for doneness by testing a piece; it should be tender but still have a slight firmness (al dente). By this point, much of the liquid should be absorbed, leaving a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. If the mixture seems too soupy, continue simmering uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.

Step 11:

Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, reduce the heat to low and add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts completely into the sauce, creating a smooth, uniform consistency. The residual heat is sufficient for melting the cheese, and using low heat prevents the sauce from breaking.

Step 12:

Remove the skillet from heat and let the dish rest for about 2 minutes. This brief resting period allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Step 13:

Serve the pasta immediately while hot, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness. A light sprinkle of additional shredded cheese on top adds visual appeal and extra cheesy goodness.

Step 14:

Pair with buttered toast or garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal. A simple side salad or steamed vegetable can balance the richness and complete the meal.

The Perfect Family-Friendly Meal

What makes this Creamy Ground Beef and Bowtie Pasta such a winner in my household is its universal appeal across different age groups. My 4-year-old loves it because the pasta shape is fun and the flavors are familiar without being boring. My teenagers appreciate that it's hearty enough to satisfy their seemingly bottomless appetites. As a parent, I value that it provides a complete meal with protein and carbohydrates in one dish, making it nutritionally substantial. For gatherings, this recipe easily scales up—I simply double the ingredients and use my largest Dutch oven. The leftovers (if there are any!) reheat beautifully for next-day lunches, with the flavors often becoming even more developed overnight. For meal prep purposes, you can cook the beef mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it, then complete the recipe with the broth, cream, and pasta when you're ready to serve.

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Simple Variations to Keep It Interesting

While this recipe is perfect in its simplicity, I occasionally make variations to keep our family meals interesting. For added vegetables, I sometimes stir in a cup of frozen peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking—they add color, nutrition, and subtle sweetness. For a different flavor profile, Italian seasoning or a bay leaf added with the broth creates a subtle herb note. When I want a bit more texture, I top individual servings with crispy panko breadcrumbs toasted in butter. My older son enjoys a spicier version with a dash of red pepper flakes or hot sauce added to his portion. For special occasions, substituting half the cheddar with Gruyère or fontina creates a more complex cheese flavor that transforms this humble dish into something that feels more sophisticated.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This dish truly shines as a meal prep option. The completed pasta keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. When reheating, you'll notice that the pasta continues to absorb the sauce, making it thicker over time. To revive leftovers to their original creamy consistency, I add a splash of milk or cream when reheating on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently until warmed through. For microwave reheating, cover the container with a damp paper towel to create steam that helps maintain moisture. Individual portions can also be frozen for up to 2 months—I place them in single-serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. When reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

I discovered by happy accident that adding a tablespoon of Dijon mustard along with the broth creates an incredible depth of flavor that perfectly complements the beef and cheese. One evening while making this recipe, I spotted the mustard jar and remembered how it enhances cheese sauces in mac and cheese. On a whim, I added a spoonful to the beef mixture, and the subtle tanginess it brought to the final dish was so good that it's now my "secret ingredient" that everyone tries to identify!

This Creamy Ground Beef and Bowtie Pasta has become my reliable "back-pocket" recipe for those nights when I need something satisfying on the table with minimal effort. There's something deeply comforting about the way the simple ingredients transform into a dish that feels like it took far more time and skill than it actually did. The combination of tender pasta, savory beef, and creamy, cheesy sauce creates the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with enthusiasm and leaves them feeling nourished in body and spirit – exactly what home cooking should do.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! While bowtie pasta (farfalle) works great because it holds the sauce well, you can substitute with penne, rotini, or any medium-sized pasta. Just adjust cooking time according to the package directions.

→ How can I make this dish lighter?

To make a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef, half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and reduce the amount of cheese. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare it ahead and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to restore the creamy texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

→ What vegetables would go well in this pasta?

Great additions include diced bell peppers, mushrooms, peas, spinach, or zucchini. Add harder vegetables like bell peppers when cooking the onions, and stir in quick-cooking vegetables like spinach or peas in the last few minutes of cooking.

→ Can I freeze this dish?

Cream-based pasta dishes typically don't freeze well as they can separate and become grainy when thawed. If you need to freeze it, do so before adding the cream and cheese, then add those ingredients fresh when reheating.