Easy Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta is the perfect meal for busy weeknights! With tender bowtie pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich, velvety cheese sauce, it’s a meal the whole family will love.
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Simple to make and packed with flavor, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food—warm, hearty, and satisfying every time!
While this comforting meal is similar to my One Pot Cheesy Hamburger Helper recipe, the difference lies in the creamy sauce. By adding 1/2 block of softened cream cheese, this delicious pasta becomes even richer, velvety smooth, and a new family favorite!
The Players for Beef and Bowtie Pasta
Ingredients:
- Pasta – Bow Tie pasta (also known as Farfalle) is perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce. You can also use any short pastas like rotini or penne.
- Ground Beef – The hearty base of this bowtie pasta recipe, adding rich, savory flavor. Use lean meat for the best balance of taste and texture.
- Onion – Yellow, brown or white onions work best for this recipe.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic gives the best taste, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Seasonings – You’ll need both ground paprika and Italian seasoning.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Using Worcestershire sauce makes the beef flavor even richer.
- Cream Cheese – The key ingredient for an ultra-creamy sauce! Use half a block (4-oz) of softened cream cheese for the best consistency.
- Beef Broth – Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels in this easy cheesy beef pasta.
- Cream – Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and velvety. Low-fat milk can be used as a lighter option, but the sauce won’t be as creamy.
- Cheese – Both shredded Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese and used in this creamy beef and bowtie pasta recipe.
- Salt and Pepper – Use ground black pepper and salt to taste.
Tools:
- Skillet – You’ll need a large skillet to make this Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta recipe.
How to make Beef and Bowtie Pasta
Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the 12 oz bowtie pasta according to package instructions (usually about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water (to add if you find the pasta is drying out later), drain pasta and set aside.
Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat. To the ground beef, add in the diced onions and cook for 2 minutes until onions are soft and translucent. Then add in the minced garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.
To the skillet, add in the the paprika, Italian seasoning, and the Worcestershire sauce and stir well.
Make the Cheese Sauce
Reduce the heat to low, and add in the softened cream cheese. Mix well into the beef.
Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream and add shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheese has fully melted.
Bring the beef mixture to a simmer and add the tender pasta to the skillet. Stir well and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
Add the Pasta
Serve with extra cheese on top if desired. I like to douse my serving in hot sauce, yum. Enjoy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
To store, transfer the cooled beef and bowtie pasta to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat:
- Stovetop: Add the pasta to a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of milk, broth, or leftover pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until warmed through.
- Microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl, add a splash of milk, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.
Pin it for Later!
If you end up making this Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta as one of your family dinners, leave me a comment. I’d love to chat with you!
Looking for other easy weeknight dinners? Check out these recipes next!
- One Pot Lasagna Casserole Recipe
- Easy Creamy Chicken and Herby Potato Skillet
- Chipotle Chicken Asado Marinade Recipe (Copycat)
- Easy Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- One Pot Cheesy Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Copycat Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup
- Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Flour Tortillas
- Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat Recipe)
- Classic Traditional Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze
- Easy Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- The Best Baked Fish Tacos Recipe (with Crispy Broccoli Slaw)
- Instant Pot Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Bake (Easy Casserole Recipe)
- The Best Stovetop Lentil and Bean Soup Recipe
- Copycat Starbucks Tarragon Chicken Salad Recipe
Easy Creamy Beef and Bowtie Pasta Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked bowtie pasta or rotini or penne
- 1 lb ground beef up to 1.5 pounds
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 oz softened cream cheese (1/2 block)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water (to add later if needed), drain pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat. To the ground beef, add in the diced onions and cook for 2 minutes until onions are soft and translucent. Then add in the minced garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.
- Add in the the paprika, Italian seasoning, and the Worcestershire sauce and stir well.
- Reduce the heat to low and add in the softened cream cheese. Mix well into the beef.
- Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream and add shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheese has fully melted.
- Bring the beef mixture to a simmer and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir well and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.
- Serve with extra cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- Stovetop: Add the pasta to a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of milk, broth, or leftover pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until warmed through.
- Microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl, add a splash of milk, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.
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