Name: Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended); 8 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion, finely diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 2½ cups beef broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening); 2 tablespoons cold water (if using cornstarch)

Looking for a dinner that combines the hearty satisfaction of beef with the creamy comfort of pasta? This Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta delivers a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily make at home. With tender beef, al dente bowtie pasta, and a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce, this dish transforms simple ingredients into something truly special that will have your family requesting it time and again.

Unlike many cream-based pasta dishes that can feel heavy, this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta achieves the perfect balance of richness and flavor. The playful shape of the bowtie pasta (also known as farfalle) captures the velvety sauce in its nooks and crannies, while the savory beef and aromatic garlic create a dish that satisfies on every level. Best of all, this impressive meal comes together in just one pan and under 30 minutes.

Why This Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta Works So Well

What makes this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta recipe stand out is its thoughtful combination of flavors and textures. The succulent beef provides satisfying protein and savory depth, while the creamy Parmesan sauce offers luxurious richness without becoming too heavy. The garlic adds aromatic complexity that ties everything together.

The bowtie pasta isn’t just decorative – its unique shape serves a practical purpose. The wide centers cook to perfect tenderness while the pinched middles retain a slight firmness, creating an interesting textural experience. Additionally, the folds and ridges capture the creamy sauce exceptionally well, ensuring that every bite delivers the full flavor profile of this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Ingredients for Perfect Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

For the Beef and Pasta:

1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended)
8 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2½ cups beef broth

Ingredients for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta arranged on granite countertop including ground beef, pasta, cheese, cream, butter, garlic, herbs and seasonings

For the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening if needed)
2 tablespoons cold water (if using cornstarch)

Understanding Your Ingredients

Choosing the Right Beef

For the best Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta, select ground beef that’s about 85% lean. This ratio provides enough fat to keep the meat juicy and flavorful, but not so much that the dish becomes greasy. If you prefer leaner beef, you may want to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil when browning to maintain moisture.

For an elevated version, consider using thinly sliced sirloin steak instead of ground beef. Cut the steak against the grain into thin strips and cook it just until browned to ensure tenderness in your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Pasta Selection

While this recipe calls for bowtie pasta (farfalle), you can substitute other medium-sized pasta shapes that capture sauce well, such as penne, rotini, or orecchiette. Whole wheat pasta works nicely too, adding a nutty flavor and extra nutrition to your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

For the best texture, cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente before adding it to the sauce, as it will continue cooking in the sauce and absorb more flavor.

Cheese Considerations

The quality of Parmesan makes a significant difference in your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta. Opt for a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano and grate it fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.

Reserve a small amount of the grated Parmesan to sprinkle over individual servings for an extra burst of flavor and beautiful presentation.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Preparing the Beef and Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Browning ground beef with onions in skillet for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta, showing the first step of preparation

Add the diced onion to the beef and continue cooking until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. These aromatics create the flavor foundation for your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

If there’s excessive fat in the pan, you can drain it at this point, but leaving some enhances the flavor of the final dish.

Adding the Pasta and Broth

Add the beef broth to the skillet, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits – these contain concentrated flavor that will enrich your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Bowtie pasta cooking in broth with seasoned beef for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta, absorbing flavors as it softens

Once boiling, add the bowtie pasta, stirring to ensure all pieces are submerged in the broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. The exact time may vary depending on the pasta brand, so start checking at the 8-minute mark.

Creating the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

When the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, reduce heat to low. Add the heavy cream and butter, stirring until the butter has melted completely. The cream should begin to simmer gently but shouldn’t boil rapidly, as this can cause it to separate.

Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thin for your preference, you can create a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with cold water, then stirring this mixture into the pasta. Let it simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

Finishing Your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in most of the chopped parsley, reserving some for garnish. Let the dish stand for 2-3 minutes – this allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.

Pouring cream into pasta and beef mixture to create the signature sauce for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta before adding cheese

Serve your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta hot, garnished with the remaining parsley and additional grated Parmesan if desired. A side of garlic bread or a simple green salad makes this a complete meal.

Expert Tips for Perfect Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Preventing a Broken Sauce

The key to a smooth, creamy sauce in your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is gentle heat and constant stirring when adding the dairy components. Never let the sauce boil after adding the cream and cheese, as high heat can cause the proteins to separate, resulting in a grainy texture.

If you’re concerned about the sauce breaking, you can temper the cream by adding a few tablespoons of the hot broth to the cream in a separate bowl before adding the cream to the skillet. This gradually raises the temperature of the cream and reduces the risk of separation.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

While this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare components ahead of time to streamline the cooking process:

Brown the beef with onions, garlic, and seasonings up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate.
Pre-measure and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook.

For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream and warm over low heat, stirring frequently to restore the creamy texture of your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Customization Options for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

This versatile recipe can be adapted in numerous ways to suit your preferences or make use of ingredients you have on hand:

Vegetable Additions: Transform your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta into a complete one-pot meal by adding vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas all work beautifully. Add hearty vegetables like mushrooms when cooking the onions, and add more delicate vegetables like spinach or peas in the final few minutes of cooking.

Protein Variations: While beef creates a rich, satisfying dish, you can substitute ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for different flavor profiles in your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Herbaceous Enhancements: Fresh herbs elevate this dish significantly. In addition to or instead of parsley, consider fresh basil, thyme, or oregano. Add hardier herbs like thyme earlier in the cooking process, while delicate herbs like basil should be added just before serving your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

This hearty dish stands well on its own, but a few thoughtful accompaniments can create a memorable meal:

A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta. Consider arugula with lemon and olive oil or a classic Caesar salad.

Close-up of Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta showing detailed texture of sauce coating the pasta and beef with flecks of herbs throughout

Garlic bread or a crusty baguette offers the perfect tool for soaking up every last bit of the creamy sauce. For a lighter option, roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli complement the flavors while adding nutritional balance.

For wine pairing, a medium-bodied red like Merlot or Chianti works beautifully with the beef, while a buttery Chardonnay complements the creamy Parmesan sauce in this versatile dish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Can I make this dish ahead of time? While best served fresh, you can prepare this dish up to 2 days ahead. When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk and warm gently over low heat to restore the creamy texture of your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream? You can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich. If using milk, you may want to increase the amount of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce for your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Is there a way to make this dish lighter? For a lighter version, use lean ground beef (90% or higher), whole wheat pasta, and substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. You can also increase the ratio of broth to cream and add extra vegetables.

What can I substitute for Parmesan cheese? Pecorino Romano makes an excellent substitute with a slightly sharper flavor. Asiago or Grana Padano also work well in this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta recipe.

Can this be made gluten-free? Yes, simply substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta. Keep in mind that gluten-free pasta often cooks more quickly than traditional pasta, so adjust your cooking time accordingly when making a gluten-free version of Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Conclusion: The Appeal of Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta represents the perfect intersection of convenience and indulgence. In less than 30 minutes and using just one pan, you can create a dish that tastes like it came from a fine Italian restaurant—just like the creamy comfort of one-pan chicken with creamy buttered noodles. The combination of tender beef, playful pasta shapes, and a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce creates a meal that’s deeply satisfying without being overly complex.

What makes this dish so appealing is its versatility. It’s elegant enough for entertaining, yet simple enough for weeknight dinners—a lot like the impressive yet easy creamy crab and shrimp seafood bisque. It’s a meal that pleases discerning adults and wins over picky kids, much like the crowd-pleasing creamy Parmesan Italian sausage soup.

And if your pantry is looking sparse, don’t worry—this recipe can be easily adapted with what’s on hand, just like the flexible French onion butter rice, which balances comfort and creativity.

By understanding the simple techniques behind this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta—from properly cooking aromatics to creating a smooth, velvety sauce—you’ll add a reliable, crowd-pleasing recipe to your rotation. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or looking to impress dinner guests, this dish delivers exceptional flavor with minimal effort—much like the ever-satisfying shrimp rice bowl that proves fast meals can still feel gourmet.

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta

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