Description
A comforting, cheesy classic with a creamy twist—this Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta with Mozzarella and Parmesan is the perfect weeknight easy dinner that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Made with seasoned ground beef, silky heavy cream, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan, every bite is rich, hearty, and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for new dinner ideas, craving a quick comfort meal, or just need food ideas that feed a crowd, this dish checks every box.
Ingredients
12 oz bowtie pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
0.25 cup chopped parsley (optional)
0.5 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
3. Push beef to one side and add chopped onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in chopped cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2–3 minutes until soft. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
5. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
6. Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses gradually, stirring until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
7. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir gently until fully coated in the creamy sauce. Heat for 1–2 minutes.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Add extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Always reserve pasta water before draining—it can save your sauce if it becomes too thick.
Use freshly grated cheeses for best melt and flavor; pre-shredded cheese can affect texture.
To lighten the dish, use ground turkey and substitute half-and-half for the cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: <0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, beef pasta, one-pot meal, comfort food, mozzarella pasta