Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta Recipe

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Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

Are you on the hunt for a weeknight meal that delivers pure comfort without feeling mundane? We understand that familiar feeling of peering into the fridge after a busy day, yearning for something truly tasty that doesn’t demand hours of effort. Imagine a dish with all the appeal of a restaurant meal, ready in under 30 minutes and made with ingredients you likely already have. That’s exactly what we’re offering with our recipe for Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta. It’s a beautiful marriage of savoury beef mince, aromatic garlic, and a sumptuously creamy Parmesan sauce, all brought together with charming bowtie pasta.

This recipe truly is the solution to your midweek dinner dilemmas. It is substantial enough to please even the heartiest of appetites, while also being refined enough for when you have company. The bowtie pasta, or farfalle, is brilliantly shaped to capture every bit of the exquisite sauce. We think you’re about to discover your new favourite comfort food.

What is Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta?

At its core, this dish is a tribute to simple yet impactful flavours. We begin by browning lean beef mince with finely diced onion and a healthy measure of garlic, which establishes a wonderfully savoury foundation. From there, we create a velvety cream sauce in the very same pan, infusing it with the distinctively salty and nutty character of authentic Parmesan cheese. This magnificent concoction is then folded through perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. The final result is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes—from the tender mince and the rich, creamy sauce to the pleasing chew of the pasta. It’s an all-in-one meal that consistently delivers a comforting and satisfying experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in Under 30 Minutes: We created this recipe with hectic schedules in mind. From start to finish, you can have this spectacular meal on the dinner table faster than ordering a takeaway.
Packed with Flavour: The delicious interplay between browned beef, fragrant garlic, and sharp Parmesan results in a taste that is deep, savoury, and completely irresistible.
Family-Friendly Favourite: This dish has widespread appeal, making it a dependable hit for family mealtimes. It’s a comforting classic that will have both children and grown-ups asking for more.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: There’s no need for a special shopping trip. This recipe uses common pantry and fridge staples such as beef mince, pasta, cream, and cheese.
Wonderfully Creamy & Satisfying: The sauce is indulgently rich and smooth without ever feeling too heavy. It clings beautifully to every piece of pasta, making each mouthful a dream.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the finest qualities of this recipe is its uncomplicated list of ingredients. We rely on good-quality staples to build a truly exceptional dish. Here is what you will need to get started:

For the Pasta and Beef

Bowtie (Farfalle) Pasta: 350g. Its distinctive shape is ideal for scooping up the luscious, creamy sauce.
Lean Beef Mince: 500g. We suggest using mince with around 10-15% fat for the best combination of flavour and texture.
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon. This is for browning the mince and sautéing the onions and garlic.
Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped. This provides a sweet, aromatic foundation for the sauce.
Garlic: 4-6 cloves, minced. Feel free to be generous; it’s a cornerstone of the dish’s flavour!

For the Garlic Cream Sauce

Beef Broth: 120ml. This adds depth and is perfect for deglazing the pan, lifting all those flavourful browned bits.
Double Cream: 240ml. Here lies the secret to our wonderfully rich and creamy sauce.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: 100g, with a little extra for serving. We highly recommend grating from a block for the smoothest melt.
Dried Italian Herbs: 1 teaspoon. A mix of oregano, basil, and thyme complements the other flavours beautifully.
Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
Fresh Parsley: A small handful, chopped, for a vibrant garnish. It adds a lovely touch of freshness and colour.

This sauce is beautifully simple yet sophisticated, similar to the one in our ever-popular Creamy Garlic Pasta Recipe, but elevated with the savoury richness of beef.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta

Are you ready to work some culinary magic? Just follow our straightforward steps for a perfect result every time. We assure you, it’s much simpler than you might think!

Cook the Pasta: Set a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Tip in the bowtie pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente (retaining a slight bite). Before you drain it, scoop out and save about 200ml of the starchy cooking water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Brown the Beef: As the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until it is browned all over. Carefully drain away any rendered fat.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the beef in the pan and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, until it has softened and turned translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant, taking care that it doesn’t catch.
Build the Sauce: Pour the beef broth into the pan to deglaze it, using your spoon to scrape up any tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let it bubble away for a minute to reduce a little. Turn the heat down to medium-low, then pour in the double cream and sprinkle in the dried Italian herbs. Stir well to combine everything into the garlic cream sauce with beef.
Get Cheesy: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, which will allow it to thicken up. Take the pan off the heat and gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan, stirring continuously until it has melted into a smooth, glossy sauce. Season to your preference with salt and black pepper.
Combine and Serve: Tip the drained bowtie pasta into the pan with your creamy beef sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is thoroughly coated. If the sauce looks a bit too thick, stir in a little of the reserved pasta water to achieve your ideal consistency. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and some extra Parmesan before serving immediately.

Top Tips for the Best Creamy Beef Farfalle

We’re committed to helping you make this pasta dish absolutely flawless. Here are some of our favourite professional tips to guarantee your meal is a triumph.

Cook Pasta Al Dente: This is non-negotiable for great texture. The pasta will absorb some of the hot sauce and continue to soften, so cooking it al dente prevents it from becoming overcooked and mushy.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Packaged pre-shredded cheeses are often coated with anti-caking powders, which can stop them from melting properly. Grating your own from a block will give you a much smoother, more luxurious sauce.
Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: That starchy water is a secret weapon! The starches help bind the sauce to the pasta, creating a beautifully emulsified and silky finish.
Choose Quality Beef Mince: The beef is a star player in this dish, so its flavour matters. Good-quality lean mince will provide a fantastic taste without making your sauce overly greasy. For tips on ensuring mince is cooked safely, the Food Standards Agency offers clear guidance.

Variations and Add-ins

Although we think this recipe is perfect as it is, we also see it as a wonderful canvas for your own creativity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Add Some Greens: For a boost of nutrients and colour, stir in a couple of big handfuls of fresh spinach towards the end of cooking. Allow it to wilt into the sauce just before serving.
Bring the Heat: If you enjoy a little spice, add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes into the pan at the same time as the garlic for a gentle warmth.
Mushroom Magic: Sautéed mushrooms make a brilliant, earthy addition. Add them with the onions and cook until they’re beautifully golden.
Make it Extra Cheesy: For a truly decadent twist, mix in 50g of shredded mozzarella or a creamy cheese like fontina along with the Parmesan. This will create the ultimate cheesy beef noodles experience.

This dish is wonderfully adaptable. However, if you’re in the mood for a beef sauce with a deeper, slow-cooked flavour, our Beef Ragu Pasta Recipe is another superb option for a comforting meal.

What to Serve with Your Pasta

While this Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is certainly a complete meal, a well-chosen side dish can elevate it further. We suggest serving it alongside:

Warm Garlic Bread: It’s the perfect tool for soaking up every last drop of that incredible creamy sauce.
A Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad tossed in a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the pasta.
Steamed Vegetables: A portion of steamed broccoli or green beans brings a fresh, wholesome element to your plate.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?

A: Absolutely! While we adore bowties for the way they hold the sauce, this recipe is just as delicious with other short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. Simply use your personal favourite.

Q: How can I make this dish gluten-free?

A: Making this recipe gluten-free is very straightforward. Just swap the standard pasta for your go-to brand of gluten-free bowtie or another short pasta shape. Also, double-check that your beef broth is certified gluten-free.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time for meal prep?

A: Pasta dishes with cream-based sauces are generally at their best when served fresh. That said, you can certainly prepare the beef and sauce component in advance and keep it in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, gently reheat the sauce on the hob while the pasta cooks, then simply combine and serve.

Q: What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

A: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat them in the microwave or in a pan over a low heat. The sauce will likely thicken as it cools, so we recommend adding a splash of milk or cream while reheating to bring back its original creamy texture.

The Perfect Pasta for Any Occasion

And there you have it—a straightforward, elegant, and utterly delicious pasta dish that we’re certain will become a firm favourite in your household. Our Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta shows that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to produce a meal that tastes truly special. It is the ultimate easy weeknight beef pasta, ideal for those busy evenings, relaxed weekends, or any time you fancy a bowl of pure, comforting joy.

We genuinely hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, guaranteed to bring a little happiness to your dinner table. Why not give it a go this week? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below. And if you loved it, please don’t forget to rate the recipe!

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