Description
This Beef and Bowtie Pasta with Alfredo Sauce is a creamy and hearty dish combining savory ground beef with tender bowtie pasta in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it features a blend of garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese to create a deliciously creamy and flavorful pasta entree.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté garlic and season: Add the minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the cooked beef. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Prepare Alfredo sauce: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in the butter, heavy cream, and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until it starts to thicken, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic powder if using.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and beef. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with sauce and beef mixture.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and good quality Parmesan for the best flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
