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Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta with Mozzarella and Parmesan

Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta with Mozzarella and Parmesan
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Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta with Mozzarella and Parmesan is a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender bowtie pasta, savory lean ground beef, and a creamy cheesy sauce made with mozzarella and Parmesan. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s easy to prepare, family-friendly, and perfect for a cozy meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Pasta

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)

Cheeses

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)

Dairy & Liquids

  • 3/4 cup cream or milk

Oils, Seasonings & Herbs

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian herb blend (basil, oregano, parsley)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the bowtie pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about half a cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the browned beef. Sauté together until the onions are softened and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Build the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors. Then add the cream or milk along with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and gently toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  6. Melt the Cheese: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit on low heat for a few minutes or place it briefly under a hot broiler to melt and lightly brown the cheese for an irresistible finish.

Notes

  • Choose quality fresh shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the best melt and flavor.
  • Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when combined with the sauce.
  • Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Drain off excess grease after cooking ground beef to avoid an oily sauce.
  • Saute garlic and onions with beef to develop a deeper, richer base flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, cheesy pasta, mozzarella pasta, Parmesan pasta, quick dinner, family dinner, one skillet meal

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/ground-beef-bowtie-pasta-with-mozzarella-and-parmesan/