Name: Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta: Family Favorite!
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle); 1 tbsp olive oil (for pasta water); 1 tsp salt (for pasta water); 1 lb ground beef; 2 tbsp olive oil (for beef); 1 tsp salt (for beef); 0.5 tsp black pepper (for beef); 0.5 tsp garlic powder (for beef); 0.25 tsp onion powder (for beef); 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 8-10 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 1 cup beef broth (low sodium); 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning; 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a symphony of savory flavors and comforting textures that promises to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire. Imagine walking into your home to the intoxicating aroma of sizzling garlic butter, tender beef, and a medley of melting cheeses, all mingling with perfectly al dente bowtie pasta. This dish isn’t merely a dinner solution; it’s a culinary hug, a hearty declaration of love for delicious, straightforward cooking.

Why Everyone Loves Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta

While the concept of pasta with meat and cheese has deep roots in Italian and Italian-American cuisine, this particular rendition of Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta beautifully encapsulates the modern desire for robust, family-friendly meals that don’t compromise on flavor. It’s a testament to how classic ingredients can be combined to create something truly extraordinary and universally beloved. People adore this dish for countless reasons: the incredible depth of flavor from the browned beef infused with aromatic garlic and rich butter, the delightful chew of the bowtie pasta, and, of course, the irresistible, gooey embrace of multiple cheeses that bring everything together into a creamy, dreamy masterpiece. It’s satisfying, surprisingly convenient, and utterly delicious – making it a perfect choice for both busy weeknights and special gatherings. I promise, your taste buds are in for a delightful journey!

Ingredients:

I’m so excited to share my go-to recipe for Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta! It’s rich, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this incredible dish.

For the Beef:
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin, flank steak, or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta water)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Garlic Butter Cheesy Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8-10 cloves garlic, minced (yes, that much! Trust me)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 0.5 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc), optional, but highly recommended for depth
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for an extra cheesy kick)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking the Pasta

Let’s get cooking! We’ll start by getting our pasta ready, as it’s often the longest part of the process, and we’ll need some of that precious pasta water later. Proper pasta preparation is a foundational step for our Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta.

Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with at least 4-5 quarts of water. Adding ample water gives the pasta room to move freely and cook evenly, preventing it from clumping together. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. The salt is crucial here; it seasons the pasta from the inside out, which makes a huge difference in the overall flavor of your dish. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once it’s vigorously boiling, add the entire 1 lb of bowtie pasta. Stir immediately and occasionally during the cooking process to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot or to itself.
Cook to Al Dente: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. This means it should be tender when you bite into it but still have a slight, pleasant firmness at its core. For bowtie pasta, this usually takes about 10-12 minutes, but always check your specific package instructions. It’s absolutely crucial not to overcook it at this stage, as the pasta will continue to cook a little bit more when we combine it with our glorious sauce later. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its desirable texture.
Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out about 1.5 to 2 cups of the starchy pasta cooking water into a heatproof measuring cup or bowl. This starchy water is an absolute game-changer and is essential for helping to emulsify our sauce, making it incredibly smooth, glossy, and perfectly creamy. The starch released by the pasta during cooking acts as a natural thickener and binder, helping the sauce to cling beautifully to every piece of pasta. Think of it as liquid gold for achieving that perfect restaurant-quality sauce consistency; don’t skip this step!
Drain and Set Aside: Once you’ve reserved the pasta water, drain the cooked pasta thoroughly in a colander. You can drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over the drained pasta and toss it gently. This helps prevent the pasta from sticking together as it cools slightly, especially if you’re not immediately adding it to the sauce. However, do not rinse the pasta under cold water. Rinsing removes the precious surface starch that we want to keep, as this starch is vital for helping our rich garlic butter cheesy sauce adhere to the pasta properly. Set the drained pasta aside while we prepare the beef and build our amazing sauce.

Preparing the Beef

Now, let’s get our beef ready. Browning the beef properly will build a fantastic flavor foundation for our Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta. This step is about creating layers of deep, savory taste.

Prepare the Beef: Take your 1.5 lbs of beef sirloin, flank steak, or ribeye. If you haven’t already, thinly slice it against the grain into bite-sized pieces. Slicing against the grain is incredibly important for tenderness; it breaks up the long muscle fibers, making the beef much easier to chew and more enjoyable. After slicing, pat the beef pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is often overlooked but helps immensely in achieving a beautiful, deep brown sear on the meat instead of merely steaming it in its own juices. Dry meat browns much more effectively and quickly.
Season the Beef: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced beef with 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 0.25 teaspoon of onion powder. Use your hands to ensure every single piece of beef is well coated with these seasonings. The combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder creates a robust and savory base flavor for the beef, enhancing its natural taste as it sears.
Sear the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers and just begins to smoke faintly. This indicates it’s hot enough for searing. Once hot, add the seasoned beef to the skillet in a single layer. It is vital not to overcrowd the pan at this stage! If you add too much beef at once, the temperature of the pan will drop significantly, causing the beef to release its juices and steam rather than sear. If necessary, work in batches to ensure the beef gets a beautiful, deep brown, caramelized crust. This crust, known as the Maillard reaction, is where a tremendous amount of rich flavor develops.
Brown the Beef: Cook the beef for 2-3 minutes per side, or until deeply browned and cooked through to your liking. We are aiming for that lovely crust, which adds so much depth and savory goodness to the entire dish. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Don’t worry about any browned bits or fond stuck to the bottom of the pan; these are incredibly flavorful deposits that we absolutely want to keep! They will be incorporated into our sauce and contribute significantly to its complexity and richness.

Building the Garlic Butter Cheesy Sauce

This is where the magic truly happens! We’re going to create the incredibly rich and savory garlic butter cheesy sauce that makes this Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta so irresistible. Get ready for some serious flavor development!

Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the same skillet where you cooked the beef. The butter will pick up all those delicious browned bits (fond) from the beef, adding another layer of flavor. Let the butter melt completely. Once melted and slightly bubbling, add the 1 medium finely diced yellow onion. Sauté the onion for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes wonderfully soft and translucent. Don’t rush this step; properly softening the onion is key to releasing its natural sweetness and creating a mellow, flavorful base for our sauce.
Add the Garlic: Now, add the generous 8-10 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet. Yes, that’s a lot of garlic, but it’s “Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta” for a reason! Sauté for just 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be very careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can taste intensely bitter and will unfortunately ruin the delicate balance of our sauce. We want it aromatic and sweet, not scorched.
Deglaze (Optional but Recommended): If you’re using it, pour in the 0.5 cup of dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc). Increase the heat slightly and immediately use a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape the bottom of the pan, loosening all those delicious browned bits (fond) that were stuck from the beef and onions. This process, called deglazing, incorporates all that concentrated flavor into your sauce. Let the wine simmer and reduce by half, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and leaving behind a wonderful, complex flavor. This step adds incredible depth and bright acidity, cutting through the richness beautifully. If you prefer not to use wine, simply skip this step and proceed to the next, perhaps adding an extra splash of beef broth to help loosen the fond.
Build the Base: Pour in the 2 cups of beef broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, which adds a lovely herbaceous note, and the 0.5 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which will give our dish a very subtle warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy (feel free to add more if you love heat!). Allow the sauce to gently simmer for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the broth reduce slightly. This slow reduction concentrates the flavors, creating a more intense and delicious base for our cheesy sauce.
Introduce the Cream: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Let it gently warm through for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. It’s important not to bring the heavy cream to a rolling boil, as heavy cream can sometimes curdle or separate if boiled too vigorously, especially after adding cheese. We are aiming for a smooth, velvety, and luxurious texture.
Melt in the Cheeses: Gradually add the 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 0.5 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 0.25 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce. Add the cheese in small handfuls, stirring constantly after each addition until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and wonderfully homogeneous. I cannot stress enough the importance of using freshly grated cheese if possible; pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents (like cellulose) that can prevent them from melting smoothly, sometimes making your sauce gritty or clumpy. Freshly grated cheese melts like a dream.
Adjust Consistency and Seasoning: Now for the magic trick! If the sauce seems too thick for your liking, slowly add some of the reserved starchy pasta water, a quarter cup at a time, stirring continuously until you reach your desired creamy consistency. The starch in the pasta water is key here; it helps the sauce emulsify beautifully, creating that perfect, glossy finish that clings to the pasta. Taste the sauce carefully and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember that the beef and pasta were seasoned, and the cheeses also contribute a significant amount of salt, so taste before adding too much!

Combining and Finishing the Dish

We’re almost there! Now it’s time to bring all these delicious components together to create our magnificent Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta. This is where all our hard work comes to fruition!

Combine Pasta and Beef: Add the drained cooked bowtie pasta back into the large skillet with the gloriously rich and creamy garlic butter cheesy sauce. Use tongs or a large spoon to gently toss the pasta, ensuring every single piece is thoroughly coated with the sauce. We want every nook and cranny of those bowties to be smothered in deliciousness. Then, gently add the seared beef back into the skillet.
Gentle Toss and Warm Through: Continue to gently toss and stir the pasta and beef in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes over low heat. This allows all the flavors to fully meld together and for everything to warm through evenly. This is the moment where the individual components truly transform into our cohesive “Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta.” Ensure the beef is well incorporated and warmed through but be mindful not to overcook the beef at this stage, as it was already cooked during searing. We’re just bringing it back up to temperature and infusing it with the sauce’s flavor.
Final Check and Serve: Do a final taste test of the finished dish. Does it need a tiny pinch more salt to brighten the flavors? Perhaps another twist of freshly ground black pepper for a little more bite? Or a dash more red pepper flakes if you’re feeling adventurous and want an extra kick? Adjust to your personal preference. Once you’re absolutely happy with the seasoning and the consistency, remove the skillet from the heat.

Serving Suggestions

This Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta is fantastic on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate the experience and make it an even more memorable meal.

Garnish and Enjoy: Transfer generous portions of the hot Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta to individual serving bowls. Garnish generously with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. The vibrant green of the parsley adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that wonderfully complements the richness of the dish. A sprinkle of extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top is always a welcome addition for those who love an extra layer of salty, nutty flavor, and perhaps another tiny dash of red pepper flakes for those who adore a little extra warmth.
Serving: Serve this comforting dish immediately while it’s piping hot and the cheese is beautifully melted and gooey. It pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty garlic bread – perfect for soaking up any leftover incredible sauce that pools at the bottom of the bowl. A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette makes an excellent accompaniment, providing a refreshing contrast and balancing the richness of the pasta. This Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta is truly a showstopper and perfect for a comforting family dinner on a chilly evening or for entertaining friends. I promise you, every single bite is a little piece of heaven! Enjoy making and savoring your culinary creation!

Conclusion:

If there’s one recipe I truly believe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary rotation, it’s the one we’ve just explored. This isn’t just another dinner; it’s a celebration of rich, comforting flavors that come together in perfect harmony. I’m talking about a dish that promises to transform an ordinary evening into something special, effortlessly. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to deliver an incredible depth of taste without demanding hours of your precious time. We’ve combined the aromatic punch of sautéed garlic with tender, savory beef, all enveloped in a luxurious, creamy, cheesy sauce, generously coating every single delightful bowtie pasta. It’s truly a symphony for the senses, a meal that will have everyone at your table asking for seconds, and perhaps even thirds!

I can confidently say that this Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta is an absolute must-try because it hits all the right notes. It’s incredibly satisfying, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Imagine the tender, perfectly seasoned beef, seared to a beautiful golden brown, mingling with the irresistible fragrance of garlic butter that permeates every inch of the dish. Then, picture that rich, decadent cheese sauce, clinging to the ridges of the bowtie pasta, offering a delightful texture and a burst of savory goodness with every forkful. It’s the kind of hearty, soul-warming meal that provides ultimate comfort on a chilly evening, yet it’s equally appropriate for a bustling family dinner or even a casual gathering with friends. The balance of flavors is simply exquisite – savory, cheesy, with just the right hint of garlic to elevate the entire experience. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create joy in your kitchen and at your dinner table.

Now, let’s talk about taking this masterpiece even further with some serving suggestions and delightful variations. While this dish stands magnificently on its own, a crisp, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a wonderful contrast to its richness, adding a refreshing element to your meal. Don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread – perhaps a garlic bread or a simple baguette – perfect for soaking up every last bit of that incredible cheesy sauce. For those who love to experiment, the possibilities are endless! You could easily elevate the vegetable component by stirring in some sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, or finely diced bell peppers along with the beef. Want to change up the cheese profile? Try a blend of Fontina and Parmesan for a nuttier flavor, or add a touch of smoked Gouda for a unique depth. While the bowtie pasta is certainly charming, feel free to substitute with other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even orecchiette, though I personally love how the bowties cup the sauce so beautifully. If you’re feeling adventurous, a pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a lovely subtle heat, or a dash of fresh herbs like parsley or chives at the end can brighten up the flavors even more. For a slightly lighter take, consider incorporating some lean ground turkey instead of beef, or adding extra vegetables to stretch the dish further.

My hope is that you’re feeling inspired and eager to roll up your sleeves and bring this incredible recipe to life in your own kitchen. There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from creating something so delicious from scratch, and I truly believe this dish will bring a huge smile to your face, and to the faces of those you share it with. Please, I implore you, don’t just read about it – try it! Experience the magic of that garlic butter aroma filling your home, the sizzle of the beef, and the pure joy of tasting that first forkful. And when you do, I would absolutely love to hear all about it! Your experiences, your triumphs, even your little tweaks and creative variations, are what make cooking such a vibrant and shared passion. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and embark on this delicious culinary adventure. Once you’ve had a chance to savor every bite, come back and share your thoughts in the comments section below. Let me know what you loved, how you customized it, and who you shared this wonderful meal with. I can’t wait to hear about your delightful journey with this truly exceptional Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta. Happy cooking!