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This soothing bow-tie pasta combines velvety garlic sauce, flavorful ground beef, and properly boiled farfalle. You'll enjoy the mix of soft pasta and juicy meat in this tasty weeknight meal.
When I first whipped this up, my children begged for more helpings - it's now our weekly Monday dinner tradition.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Farfalle: Pick premium bow-tie pasta that grabs sauce nicely
- Ground Beef: Go with 80/20 mix for richest taste
- Garlic: Only use whole cloves, skip the jar stuff
- Cheese: Shred it yourself for smoother melting
- Butter: Try to use unsalted European butter if you can
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Pasta Cooking (12 minutes)
- Make water as salty as ocean water. Give pasta a good stir right after dropping it in. Keep checking for that perfect bite. Save some cooking water before you drain.
- Step 2: Beef Preparation (10 minutes)
- Warm your pan first, then add the meat. Crumble into tiny, uniform chunks. Add spices to each batch. Cook just until no pink remains.
- Step 3: Sauce Creation (8 minutes)
- Let butter melt gently. Cook garlic until you smell it. Stir flour quickly. Pour milk in slowly while stirring.
- Step 4: Assembly (5 minutes)
- Mix cheese when off the stove. Fold everything together carefully. Fix sauce if too thick or thin. Taste and add more salt if needed.
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My nonna always told me to save more pasta water than I think I'll need - that's the real trick to getting a smooth sauce.
Managing Heat
Keep the flame low so your cheese stays smooth instead of clumpy.
Prep-Ahead Tricks
Cook each part on its own first.
Warming It Up Later
Pour in a bit of milk when you're heating leftovers.
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This meal shows how basic ingredients can make the most comforting food. Just remember to take your time with each part - especially when making that garlic butter sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
- Absolutely! Any medium-sized pasta like rotini, shells, or penne will work great in this dish.
- → How do I prevent the sauce from getting too thick?
- Just set aside some of your pasta cooking water and add a little at a time until you get the consistency you want.
- → Can I make this ahead?
- You can, but the sauce might firm up a bit. When reheating, just add a dash of milk to bring back the creaminess.
- → What can I add for extra vegetables?
- You can toss in some spinach, mushrooms, or frozen peas to bump up the nutritional value.
- → Can I use ground turkey instead?
- Sure thing! Ground turkey or chicken makes a nice lighter option.