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Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef Sauce

Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef Sauce

A quick and hearty Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef Sauce recipe perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender bowtie pasta is tossed in a rich, savory ground beef sauce filled with tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s easy to make and loved by the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces high-quality dry bowtie pasta

Ground Beef Sauce

  • 1 pound lean or regular ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Optional Garnishes

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of the pasta water.
  2. Prepare the sauce base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed to prevent greasiness.
  4. Build the sauce: Mix in tomato paste, diced tomatoes with their juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust consistency.
  6. Serve and garnish: Remove from heat and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef Sauce!

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides stronger flavor than garlic powder.
  • Reserve pasta water: Adding starchy pasta water helps loosen thick sauces and bind the sauce to the pasta.
  • Don’t overcook pasta: Aim for al dente to maintain texture once mixed with sauce.
  • Drain excess beef fat: Prevents oily sauce and allows tomato flavors to shine.
  • Simmer for flavor: Let sauce simmer long enough to develop rich taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: bowtie pasta, ground beef sauce, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, family-friendly pasta