Description
A hearty and quick bowtie pasta dish with savory ground beef and rich tomato sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz bowtie pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil, a handful, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and slightly translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 7-8 minutes, or until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it over the pasta and gently mix. Finish with fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve immediately while warm, and enjoy every comforting bite!
Notes
[‘Don’t overcook the pasta to keep it al dente.’, ‘Lean ground beef works best, but fattier cuts can add extra flavor.’, ‘Use fresh garlic for bold flavor.’, ‘Let the sauce simmer to deepen the flavors.’, ‘Save pasta water to create a silky sauce texture.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: bowtie pasta, ground beef, quick dinner, family meal, comfort food, Italian recipe, pasta recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal