Garlic Butter Beef Bowties in Cheesy Three-Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb ground beef
• 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
• 4 tbsp butter (divided)
• 1 onion (small, finely diced)
• 7 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente. Save ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

3. 3

   Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   Add the onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic for about 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Add the ground beef and cook until nicely browned, breaking it into small crumbles.

6. 6

   Season with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, then stir everything together.

7. 7

   Pour in the beef broth and let it bubble for 2 minutes to bring all the flavors together.

8. 8

   Lower the heat and add the remaining butter.

9. 9

   Once melted, pour in the heavy cream and stir in the cream cheese until the sauce is smooth.

10. 10

    Add the Parmesan, cheddar, and 1 cup of the mozzarella, stirring until the cheeses melt into a thick, cheesy sauce.

11. 11

    If needed, mix in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

12. 12

    Fold the cooked bowties into the skillet until every piece is coated with the creamy cheese sauce.

13. 13

    Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top, cover for a minute until melted.

14. 14

    Garnish with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

If the sauce becomes too thick after adding the cheese, use the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• beef
• dinner
• cheesy
• one-pan
• comfort food