Sink your fork into this Creamy Beef Bowtie Pasta—a rich, comforting dish that combines tender farfalle pasta with perfectly seasoned ground beef in a luxurious cream sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese. This hearty one-pan meal delivers restaurant-quality flavor with weeknight convenience, featuring a velvety sauce that clings to every pasta bow, savory beef that’s seasoned to perfection, and a satisfying richness that makes this an instant family favorite ready in just 35 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• True One-Pan Efficiency – While the pasta cooks separately, everything else comes together in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and streamlining the cooking process for busy evenings when time is precious.
• Restaurant-Quality Cream Sauce – The combination of beef broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan creates a professionally textured sauce with deep, savory complexity that rivals Italian restaurant favorites without specialized techniques.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort – Uses affordable ground beef and pantry staples to create a dish that tastes indulgent and special, feeding a family of six for a fraction of restaurant prices.
• Kid and Adult Approved – The mild, creamy sauce and familiar pasta shape appeal to picky eaters while the rich flavors and satisfying texture please adult palates, making this a true crowd-pleaser.
• Customizable Foundation – Serves as an excellent base for adding vegetables, adjusting seasonings, or incorporating different proteins and pasta shapes based on preferences and what’s in your pantry.
• Quick Weeknight Success – Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish with straightforward techniques that require no advanced cooking skills, perfect for those hectic evenings when everyone needs feeding fast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pasta Base

• 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle) – The distinctive bow-tie shape with its ruffled edges catches and holds the creamy sauce beautifully, providing textural interest and ensuring every bite is flavorful and saucy.

For the Savory Beef Component

• 1 lb ground beef – Provides hearty protein and savory depth; choose 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for the best balance of flavor and moisture without excessive grease.
• 1 small onion, diced – Adds aromatic sweetness and depth that forms the flavor foundation, breaking down into the sauce to provide background complexity without overpowering.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Delivers the signature aromatic punch that defines Italian-inspired dishes, adding pungent complexity that mellows into sweet, savory notes during cooking.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil – Provides the cooking fat for sautéing aromatics and prevents sticking while adding subtle fruity flavor that enhances the overall Mediterranean character.

For the Seasoning Blend

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – A blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that provides instant herbaceous complexity without measuring multiple individual dried herbs.
• ½ teaspoon paprika – Adds mild sweetness, subtle color, and a hint of smokiness that deepens the beef’s savory character without adding heat.
• Salt and pepper to taste – Essential seasoning that enhances all other flavors and builds the foundational taste profile; season generously at multiple stages for best results.

For the Creamy Sauce

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour – Acts as a thickening agent that creates body and helps the sauce cling to the pasta while preventing the cream from separating or becoming greasy.
• 2 cups beef broth – Provides savory liquid base that adds umami depth and meaty complexity, amplifying the ground beef flavor while creating the sauce foundation.
• 1 cup heavy cream – Creates the signature luxurious, velvety texture and rich mouthfeel that makes this sauce irresistibly decadent and restaurant-quality.
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese – Adds nutty, salty complexity while helping thicken and emulsify the sauce naturally through its protein and fat content; always use freshly shredded for best melting.

For Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped – Provides a pop of color, fresh herbaceous brightness, and visual appeal that cuts through the richness and adds a professional finishing touch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Bowtie Pasta

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat—the water should taste like the sea for properly seasoned pasta. Add 12 oz bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (typically 11-13 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water before draining, then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside—do not rinse, as the starchy surface helps the sauce cling better.

Sauté Aromatics and Brown the Beef

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent with golden edges. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly until fragrant but not browned—burnt garlic will taste bitter. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula into small crumbles, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon paprika, and generous pinches of salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat frequently, until the beef is completely browned with no pink remaining and some pieces develop crispy, caramelized edges. Carefully drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.

Create the Flour Roux

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour evenly over the cooked beef mixture, stirring constantly to coat all the meat and vegetables thoroughly. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, allowing the flour to toast slightly and lose its raw taste—this creates a roux that will thicken the sauce and prevent a floury flavor. The mixture should look slightly dry and pasty at this stage.

Build the Creamy Sauce Foundation

Slowly pour in 2 cups beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming, scraping up any flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens noticeably and coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup heavy cream, whisking until fully incorporated and the sauce turns a light tan color. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes without boiling, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a creamy, velvety consistency that’s thick enough to coat pasta but still flows easily.

Incorporate Parmesan and Combine

Remove the skillet from heat and gradually add 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese in three additions, stirring constantly after each addition until the cheese melts completely and incorporates smoothly into the sauce without clumping. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you reach the desired consistency—it should be thick and creamy but still coat the pasta easily. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind that Parmesan adds saltiness.

Toss Pasta and Serve

Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet with the creamy beef sauce, tossing gently but thoroughly with tongs or a large spoon to ensure every piece of pasta is coated evenly with sauce and beef. Let the pasta sit in the sauce for 1-2 minutes over low heat to absorb some of the flavors and marry the components together. Transfer to a large serving platter or individual plates, garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley and additional shredded Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Pasta Shape Flexibility – While bowtie pasta is ideal for catching sauce, penne, rigatoni, shells, or rotini work equally well; adjust cooking time by 1-2 minutes depending on the shape you choose.
• Ground Beef Fat Content – 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef provides the best flavor-to-grease ratio; leaner beef (90/10) may result in drier texture, while fattier beef (70/30) requires more draining.
• Fresh vs. Pre-Shredded Parmesan – Always grate Parmesan from a block when possible; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting and can make the sauce grainy.
• Sauce Consistency Control – If sauce becomes too thick, thin with reserved pasta water or additional beef broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes or add more Parmesan.
• Flour Incorporation Technique – Sprinkle flour evenly and stir immediately to prevent clumping; if lumps form, whisk vigorously or use an immersion blender to smooth the sauce.
• Timing the Pasta – Start the pasta water boiling before beginning the beef so both components finish at roughly the same time, ensuring the pasta is hot when combined with the sauce.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 6 generous portions
• Calories: Approximately 580 calories per serving (based on 6 servings with 80/20 ground beef)

Perfect Pairings

• Garlic Bread or Breadsticks – Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread perfect for soaking up every drop of the creamy sauce that pools at the bottom of the plate.
• Caesar Salad – Balance the richness with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, tangy Caesar dressing, and shaved Parmesan for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
• Roasted Vegetables – Add color and nutrition with roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts seasoned simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Italian Red Wine – Pour a medium-bodied Chianti, Sangiovese, or Montepulciano that complements the beef and cuts through the cream’s richness.

Ideal Occasions

• Busy Weeknight Dinners – Ready in just 35 minutes with straightforward techniques, making this perfect for those hectic evenings when everyone needs feeding quickly without sacrificing flavor.
• Family Comfort Meals – Delivers the cozy satisfaction that only creamy pasta and hearty beef can provide, especially appreciated on cold evenings or stressful days.
• Casual Entertaining – Easily doubled for larger groups while still requiring only basic cooking skills and equipment, impressive enough for guests but not intimidating to prepare.
• Meal Prep Champion – Portions beautifully into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, reheating well and actually improving as flavors meld.

Storage & Serving Tips

• Refrigerator Storage – Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days, noting that the sauce will thicken as it cools and the pasta absorbs more liquid over time.
• Reheating Method – Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat with 2-3 tablespoons of beef broth, milk, or cream to restore creamy consistency, stirring gently; or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between.
• Freezing Considerations – Cream-based sauces can separate slightly when frozen but this dish freezes acceptably for up to 2 months if you’re willing to stir vigorously and add liquid when reheating.
• Serving Temperature – Best served hot immediately after preparation when the sauce is at its creamiest and most fluid; the pasta and sauce begin to absorb into each other as it sits.

Creative Variations to Try

• Mushroom and Spinach Addition – Sauté 8 oz sliced mushrooms with the onions and fold in 2 cups fresh spinach during the final 2 minutes for earthy depth and built-in vegetable servings.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Twist – Add ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the cream for Mediterranean flair, tangy brightness, and beautiful color contrast.
• Spicy Kick Version – Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes with the seasonings and a dash of hot sauce to the finished sauce for those who enjoy heat.
• Three-Cheese Upgrade – Combine Parmesan with ½ cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola for extra richness and complex flavor layers.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Sauce Too Thin After Cooking – Simmer uncovered for 3-5 additional minutes to reduce and thicken, or whisk in 2 tablespoons additional Parmesan or a slurry of 1 tablespoon flour mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water.
• Grainy or Broken Sauce – This occurs when cheese is added to boiling liquid or heat is too high; always reduce to low heat before adding cheese and stir constantly to prevent separation.
• Dry, Clumpy Pasta – Not enough sauce or pasta overcooked; always slightly undercook pasta (1 minute less than package directions) and use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.
• Bland Flavor Profile – Insufficient seasoning at multiple stages; season the beef generously, taste the sauce before adding pasta, and don’t forget finishing salt and pepper at the end.

Why This Recipe Works

This creamy beef pasta succeeds through the careful layering of flavors and the proper technique for creating a stable, luxurious cream sauce. Browning the ground beef first develops the Maillard reaction’s complex flavors while creating fond (browned bits) on the pan bottom that dissolves into the sauce, adding irreplaceable depth. The aromatics—onion and garlic—provide a flavor foundation that enhances without overwhelming the beef’s savory character. Creating a roux by coating the beef with flour serves multiple purposes: it thickens the sauce, prevents the cream from separating, and creates a smooth, professional texture. The combination of beef broth and heavy cream provides both savory depth and luxurious richness, with the broth preventing the cream from being cloying while adding umami complexity. Parmesan cheese contributes not just flavor but also helps emulsify and thicken the sauce through its protein and fat content, creating a cohesive, velvety coating. The bowtie pasta shape is particularly well-suited to cream sauces because its ruffled edges and bow shape create pockets and crevices that capture and hold the sauce, ensuring every bite is properly coated. Tossing the hot pasta directly into the sauce allows the pasta to absorb some of the flavors while the residual starch on the pasta surface helps the sauce cling better. At approximately 580 calories per serving, this delivers satisfying richness appropriate for a complete meal, especially when served with a light salad or vegetables to balance the richness.

Final Thoughts

Creamy Beef Bowtie Pasta exemplifies the beauty of simple Italian-American comfort food—familiar ingredients transformed through proper technique into a dish that feels special and indulgent while remaining accessible for weeknight cooking. The straightforward preparation belies the complex, restaurant-quality flavors that develop through careful browning, proper sauce building, and the marriage of beef, cream, and Parmesan. This recipe proves that you don’t need exotic ingredients or complicated methods to create deeply satisfying meals that bring the family to the table with enthusiasm. The quick cooking time and one-pan efficiency make this ideal for busy households, while the customizable nature means you can adapt it to use whatever vegetables or proteins you have on hand. For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and reduce the Parmesan to ¾ cup, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or increase the vegetable content significantly, though the original recipe’s full-bodied richness is precisely what makes it the ultimate comfort meal worth savoring in its classic form. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a Tuesday night or looking for a cozy meal to share with friends, this creamy beef pasta delivers every time with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.