Cheesy beef bowtie pasta tosses browned ground beef and tender farfalle in a smooth, melted cheese sauce thinned with milk. It is a rich, kid friendly skillet dinner that is ready in about thirty minutes and feeds six.
The cheese melts straight into the pan with the beef, so there is no separate sauce to make, and a handful of diced tomatoes adds a fresh edge. The bowtie shape holds the sauce in its folds and makes every forkful creamy.
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Why This Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta Recipe Works
A processed cheese loaf melts into an ultra smooth sauce that never turns grainy or oily. Milk loosens it to a silky consistency that coats the pasta.
Browning the beef in olive oil or butter gives it a savory crust that flavors the whole pan. Breaking it into small crumbles lets it spread evenly through the sauce.
Bowtie pasta has a thick center and thin wings, so it keeps some bite while catching sauce in its folds. Diced tomatoes folded in at the end add color and a little acidity to balance the rich cheese.
Ingredients for Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
- Beef and pasta: one pound ground beef, twelve ounces bowtie pasta, and two tablespoons olive oil or butter.
- Cheese sauce: sixteen ounces processed cheese loaf, cubed, one cup milk, one cup diced tomatoes, drained, half a teaspoon salt, and a quarter teaspoon black pepper.
Ground beef. Eighty five percent lean beef gives enough flavor with less grease, and draining it keeps the sauce silky.
Bowtie pasta. Also called farfalle, it should be cooked until just tender because it softens further in the hot sauce.
Processed cheese loaf. It melts smoothly because of its emulsifiers, and cutting it into small cubes speeds the melt.
Milk. Warm milk blends into the cheese faster, and more can be added to loosen the sauce as it stands.
Diced tomatoes. Drain them well so they do not thin the sauce, and canned or fresh both work.
How to Make Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
1. Boil the pasta. Cook the bowtie pasta in salted water until tender, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat the pan. Warm the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Brown the beef. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains and it reaches 160 F, then drain extra fat.
4. Melt the cheese. Stir in the cubed cheese and milk and cook over low heat, stirring often, until the sauce is smooth.
5. Combine. Fold in the pasta and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook for one minute until everything is hot.
How to Serve Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
Serve the pasta warm in shallow bowls, topped with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan, with a green salad or garlic bread on the side. For more beef pasta dinners, try creamy Parmesan garlic beef bowtie pasta, ranch beef bowtie casserole, or beef and sausage bowtie pasta. A pan of cheesy ground turkey taco pasta suits a Tex Mex night.
How to Store and Reheat Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
Cool the pasta within two hours and refrigerate it in a covered container for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk until it reaches 165 F, because the sauce thickens as it chills. Freezing is not recommended, since the cheese sauce can turn grainy when thawed.
Tips and Variations for Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
Flag the allergens. The dish contains wheat and milk, and processed cheese may contain other additives, so check every label.
Do not taste the raw beef. Cook it to 160 F before tasting the sauce, and wash your hands and tools after handling it.
Cube the cheese small. Smaller pieces melt faster and more evenly, which prevents scorching.
Keep the heat low. High heat can make the sauce separate, so melt the cheese gently.
Add vegetables. Frozen peas or chopped spinach stirred in at the end add color and bulk.
Add seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of paprika boosts the flavor of the sauce.
Loosen as needed. A splash of pasta water or milk thins the sauce if it thickens while standing.
Check trusted guidance. For safe ground beef temperatures and leftovers, read the FDA safe food handling guidance before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
What is cheesy beef bowtie pasta?
It is a skillet pasta of ground beef and bowtie noodles coated in a smooth, melted cheese sauce.
Can I make cheesy beef bowtie pasta ahead of time?
Yes, but reheat it with a splash of milk because the sauce thickens in the refrigerator.
Can I use real cheese in cheesy beef bowtie pasta?
Yes. Mild cheddar melts well if you shred it fresh and add a spoonful of cream cheese for smoothness.
Can I use another pasta?
Yes. Shells, rotini, or elbow macaroni all hold the sauce well.
Can I make it spicy?
Stir in a pinch of cayenne or a spoonful of diced green chiles with the tomatoes.
Cheesy Beef Bowtie Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz bowtie pasta farfalle, dry
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 16 oz processed cheese loaf cubed
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup diced tomatoes drained
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cooking
- Boil. Cook the pasta until tender and drain.
- Brown. Cook the beef in the oil to 160 F and drain the fat.
- Melt. Stir in the cheese and milk over low heat until smooth.
- Combine. Fold in the pasta and tomatoes and season.
