Description
Learn how to make delicious Garlic Butter Bowtie Pasta with Beef Perfection. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean works best for flavor and moisture)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is key for that punch)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or low-sodium broth for control)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a subtle heat
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Substitution suggestions: If you don’t have bowtie pasta, penne or rotini work well as a substitute. For a lighter twist, ground turkey or chicken can replace beef, though you might want to add an extra tablespoon of butter for richness. Don’t have beef broth? Water with a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce can fill in nicely.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, roughly 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned. This step always reminds me of the first time I learned how to manage garlic’s timing—too long and it burns; too short and the flavor doesn’t bloom.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter, letting it melt and coat the beef and onions. Pour in the beef broth and Italian seasoning, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to combine with the beef and garlicky butter sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach a silky consistency.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss again until the cheese melts into the sauce, giving everything a luscious finish.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. I like to add a little extra cracked black pepper on top—my signature touch from those early kitchen experiments trying to balance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Garlic Butter Bowtie Pasta with Beef Perfection, recipe, cooking, food
