Description
Garlic Butter Bowtie Pasta Bliss is a quick, comforting, and flavorful dish combining perfectly cooked bowtie pasta with savory ground beef, fragrant garlic, and a buttery, Parmesan-infused sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe offers a delicious weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle) (Can substitute with penne or rotini)
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 ratio preferred)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium Onion (Red or yellow; adjust amount if desired)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Fresh minced garlic preferred)
Liquids and Oils
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (Can substitute with avocado oil)
- 1 cup Beef Broth (Vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
Seasonings and Garnishes
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Omit for milder flavor)
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Aged cheese for richer flavor)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (Basil or oregano can be used)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside without rinsing to retain starch for better sauce adhesion.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until they become softened and golden, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Incorporate the minced garlic into the skillet with onions and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks. Sauté the meat until browned evenly, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring no pink remains.
- Drain Excess Fat and Deglaze: Carefully drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving just a small amount for moisture. Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits from the bottom, and simmer until the liquid reduces by half to concentrate flavor.
- Season and Combine: Stir in red pepper flakes along with salt and black pepper to taste. Gently fold the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet to coat it well with the beef and broth mixture.
- Finish with Oil and Cheese: Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the pasta for added gloss and flavor. Remove from heat and top the dish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for aroma, flavor, and a burst of color.
- Optional Garnishes: Add a sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a touch of lemon zest to brighten the flavors if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne or rotini based on preference or availability.
- Vegetarian option: replace ground beef with mushrooms or a plant-based meat substitute and use vegetable broth.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to spice tolerance or omit for a mild flavor.
- Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep the starch that helps the sauce cling better.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the dish’s flavor more than pre-shredded varieties.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or water.
