Homemade Dinner Bowtie Pasta Bake - Easy 30-Minute Meal

This Homemade Dinner Design Inspiration Bowtie Pasta Bake is the kind of meal you make when you want something hearty without a lot of fuss. It's creamy, cheesy, and filled with ground beef and bowtie pasta, all baked together in one dish.

The idea came from a simple dinner inspiration: take what you have, make it comforting. You likely have most of the ingredients already – pasta, beef, cheese, and a few pantry staples. It's a forgiving recipe, so you can adjust it to your family's taste.

You'll love how the pasta soaks up the creamy sauce while the top gets golden and bubbly. It's a complete dinner in one pan, perfect for busy weeknights.

About the Ingredients

12 oz (340g) bowtie pasta (farfalle)

Use any short pasta if you don't have bowties. Penne or rotini work just as well.

1 lb (450g) ground beef

Ground chuck (80/20) gives good flavor. You can use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead.

1 medium onion, diced

About 1 cup. Yellow or white onion is fine. If you're short on time, use 1/2 cup frozen diced onion.

3 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh garlic is best, but 1 teaspoon of garlic powder works in a pinch.

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

Plain tomato sauce, not seasoned. If you only have crushed tomatoes, they'll work too – just crush them a bit.

1 cup (240ml) heavy cream

Half-and-half or whole milk will make a lighter sauce. For a richer sauce, use full-fat coconut milk.

2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Freshly shredded melts better than pre-shredded. You can also use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar.

1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese

Use the real stuff, not the green can. Pecorino Romano is a good substitute.

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

If you don't have it, mix 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil.

1/2 teaspoon salt

Adjust to taste. If your tomato sauce is salty, you might need less.

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Freshly ground is best, but pre-ground works.

1 cup (240ml) beef broth

Chicken broth or water with a bouillon cube also works.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and boil pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the beef

In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. If there's a lot of fat, drain most of it, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.

3. Add onion and garlic

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Make the sauce

Stir in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes so the flavors blend.

5. Combine pasta and sauce

Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce. The mixture will look a little saucy – that's good because the pasta will absorb some as it bakes.

6. Add the cheeses

Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. You don't need to stir them in – they'll melt and create a nice crust.

7. Bake until bubbly

Place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly at the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. If you want a deeper golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.

8. Rest and serve

Carefully remove the skillet from the oven (it's hot!). Let it rest for 5 minutes. This lets the sauce thicken a bit. Scoop out portions and serve hot.

How to Store Homemade Dinner design inspiration

Tips & Tricks

• Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it 2 minutes less than the package says, because it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Brown the beef well. Let it get a good sear – that adds flavor. Don't stir it constantly.
• If the sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash of broth or milk. If it's too thin, let it simmer a few minutes to reduce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delicious Variations

Add vegetables

Sauté 1 cup of sliced mushrooms or zucchini with the onion, or stir in a cup of frozen peas before baking.

Make it spicy

Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the garlic, or use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef.

Go lighter

Use ground turkey, half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and reduced-fat cheese. Cook the pasta al dente and reduce the cheese to 1 1/2 cups total.

Dinner's done. Go put your feet up.

Homemade Dinner Bowtie Pasta Bake – Easy 30-Minute Meal

Homemade Dinner Design Inspiration Bowtie Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy, one-pan dinner that turns simple ingredients into a comforting family meal.

15 minPrep time35 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 12 oz (340g) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth

📋 Instructions

1. 1Preheat and boil pasta — Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. 2Brown the beef — In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. If there's a lot of fat, drain most of it, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
3. 3Add onion and garlic — Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. 4Make the sauce — Stir in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes so the flavors blend.
5. 5Combine pasta and sauce — Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce. The mixture will look a little saucy – that's good because the pasta will absorb some as it bakes.
6. 6Add the cheeses — Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. You don't need to stir them in – they'll melt and create a nice crust.
7. 7Bake until bubbly — Place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly at the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. If you want a deeper golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
8. 8Rest and serve — Carefully remove the skillet from the oven (it's hot!). Let it rest for 5 minutes. This lets the sauce thicken a bit. Scoop out portions and serve hot.

👨🍳 Chef's Note: This is a forgiving recipe. If you want a lighter version, use half-and-half and reduce the cheese a bit. The taste will still be great.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Dinner

Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking15 minutes35 minutes55 minutes

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 12g protein · 22g carbs · 9g fat