Simple Bowtie Pasta with Ground Beef
A comforting, family-friendly dish that combines bowtie pasta with hearty ground beef, perfect for weeknight meals.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces Bowtie Pasta Also known as farfalle, cook until al dente.
Meat
- 1 pound Ground Beef Opt for lean ground beef for a healthier option.
Vegetables
- 1 medium Onion Finely chopped.
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced.
Sauce
- 24 ounces Tomato Sauce Essential for bringing the dish together.
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Enhances flavor with herbs.
Seasoning
- Salt To taste.
- Black Pepper To taste.
Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated, optional but recommended for serving.
Instructions
- 1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- 2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- 3. Drain excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the skillet. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- 4. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- 5. Return the ground beef to the skillet, add tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- 6. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water. Add pasta to the skillet and toss to combine.
- 7. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed. Mix in parmesan cheese if desired.
- 8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
Consider adding vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition. This dish can also be made into a casserole by baking it with cheese.