Description
This Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef recipe is a hearty and flavorful American-Italian main course perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender bowtie pasta is tossed in a savory tomato sauce simmered with browned ground beef, onions, garlic, and Italian seasonings, then finished with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese for a creamy, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and tomato sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 8 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Add cheeses: Stir in Parmesan cheese and, if using, shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and well combined.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- This dish reheats well, making it a great option for leftovers.
