The Zesty Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef Recipe Everyone Loves

Craving a hearty bowtie pasta with ground beef that promises pure comfort?

Pasta shapes like bowties create delightful pockets for catching savory sauce and meaty goodness.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying meals that everyone will enjoy.

Home cooks appreciate quick recipes that don’t compromise on flavor or nutrition.

Robust ground beef combined with tender pasta delivers a classic combination guaranteed to please.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation mean you can have dinner ready in under thirty minutes.

This dish transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal everyone will request again and again.

Why Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef Is A Weeknight Favorite

• Tackle Quickly: Bowtie pasta with meat sauce comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Customize Easily: Adjust seasonings and ingredients to match your family's taste preferences, from adding extra spices to swapping ground beef for ground turkey.
• Pack Nutrition: Loaded with protein from beef, vegetables from onions and tomatoes, and balanced with pasta, this dish offers a complete and satisfying meal.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will love the classic combination of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and the sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese on top.

Ingredients Needed For Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

• Bowtie Pasta: Provides the hearty base for this comforting dish that catches and holds the delicious meat sauce.

• Ground Beef: Serves as the primary protein that adds rich flavor and substantial texture to the pasta dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall taste of the meat and create a well-seasoned foundation.
• Onions, Garlic: Add depth of flavor and aromatic base to the meat sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a classic herb blend that complements the tomato and meat flavors.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Create a rich, robust sauce that coats the pasta and adds moisture and tanginess.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking medium for browning the meat and sautéing vegetables.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and light herbal notes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a salty, nutty topping that adds extra richness to the completed dish.

Steps To Make Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

Step 1: Kickstart the Pasta Boil

Fill a spacious pot with water and toss in a pinch of salt. Crank the heat to high and let the water roar into a rolling boil, preparing for the bowtie pasta dance.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce ground beef to the pan, breaking it into tiny crumbles. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the meat transforms completely, eliminating any trace of pink, which takes about 7-8 minutes.

Step 3: Awaken the Aromatics

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté these flavor boosters with the browned meat until onions become translucent and release their fragrant magic, roughly 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Symphony

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste

Stir the ingredients into a harmonious blend. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes, allowing flavors to waltz together.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta Perfectly

Submerge bowtie pasta into the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until reaching al dente texture, typically 8-9 minutes.

Step 6: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Drain the pasta thoroughly. Return it to the pot and gently fold in the meat sauce, ensuring every pasta piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 7: Final Flourish

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Grated parmesan cheese

Serve piping hot directly from the pot, with extra parmesan on the side for cheese lovers.

Pro Tips For Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

• Pasta Perfection: Stir salt into boiling water to enhance pasta flavor and prevent sticking.
• Meat Mastery: Break ground beef into tiny crumbles for even cooking and better sauce texture.
• Sauce Simmering: Let tomato sauce cook slowly to develop rich, deep flavors and tenderize meat.
• Cheese Charm: Add parmesan right before serving to maintain its fresh, sharp taste and prevent melting.
• Herb Highlight: Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add a burst of color and fresh, aromatic notes.

Tasty Variations Of Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

• Gluten-Free Pasta Twist: Replace bowtie pasta with gluten-free penne or rotini, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the hearty meal.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the rich, savory flavor profile while creating a meat-free option.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrates and adding extra vegetable nutrition to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Comfort: Omit parmesan cheese or use nutritional yeast as a cheese alternative, making the recipe suitable for those avoiding dairy products.

Great Pairings With Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty pasta sauce with its bold flavors and tannic structure.
• Serve Crisp Garden Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the heavy pasta dish, adding fresh texture and cutting through the richness of the meat.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Toast crusty Italian bread with garlic butter to soak up extra sauce, providing a delicious side that adds crunch and additional savory notes to the meal.
• Refresh with Sparkling Water: Pour chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon to cleanse the palate between bites, offering a light and refreshing counterpoint to the hearty pasta.

How To Store Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Properly stored, the dish maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a microwave-safe lid. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to restore moisture.

FAQs For Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned similarly to ground beef.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Cook pasta al dente by following package instructions and not overcooking. Drain immediately and mix with sauce quickly to maintain the right texture.

• Is this dish kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The simple ingredients and mild seasoning make this pasta recipe appealing to children. The meat sauce is flavorful without being too spicy.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meat sauce in advance and store it separately from the pasta. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and cook fresh pasta for the best results.

Bowtie Pasta With Ground Beef Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Bowtie pasta with ground beef offers a delightful culinary journey through hearty Italian-inspired comfort. Savory beef mingles with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Pasta:

• 1 lb bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese

Sauce:

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for the bowtie pasta.
2. While water heats, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for cooking ground beef.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles, and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until meat is completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
4. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the browned meat, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Pour diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the meat mixture, stirring to combine. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and simmer the sauce for 10-12 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
6. Drop bowtie pasta into boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes.
7. Drain pasta thoroughly, then return to the pot and immediately fold in the meat sauce, ensuring even coating.
8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and generously sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top.
9. Serve hot, directly from the pot, with additional parmesan on the side for extra garnishing.

Notes

• Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally during boiling and using a large pot with plenty of water.
• Enhance meat flavor by using high-quality ground beef with a bit more fat content for richer taste and juiciness.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular bowtie pasta with chickpea or lentil pasta for added protein and dietary flexibility.
• Reduce cooking time by using pre-chopped onions and jarred minced garlic, perfect for quick weeknight meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg