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.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Contains Gluten; Suitable substitutions available for gluten-free
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: bowtie pasta, ground beef sauce, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, family-friendly pasta