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This hearty pasta combines a buttery garlic sauce with flavorful ground beef and bow-tie noodles. The mix of soft pasta and juicy meat makes for a tasty and filling family meal.
When I whipped this up the first time, my children begged for more helpings - it's now become our start-of-week dinner tradition.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Farfalle: Go for high-end pasta that captures the sauce perfectly
- Ground Beef: Pick 80/20 mix for optimal taste
- Garlic: Only use whole cloves, skip the jarred stuff
- Cheese: Shred it yourself for smoother melting
- Butter: Try to use unsalted European butter if possible
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)
- Get your pan hot 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 can smell it. Mix flour with quick wrist motion. Pour milk in slowly while stirring.
- Step 4: Assembly (5 minutes)
- Mix in cheese away from heat. Fold everything together carefully. Fix sauce consistency as needed. Taste and add final seasonings.
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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 for getting that smooth, velvety sauce.
Heat Management
Keeping heat gentle stops cheese from getting clumpy.
Plan-Ahead Advice
Get each part ready on its own.
Warming Up Leftovers
Stir in a bit of milk when heating again.
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This meal shows how basic ingredients can make the most comforting food. The trick is handling each part with attention - especially that butter-garlic sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is this recipe flexible with pasta types?
- Absolutely! Swap in penne, rotini, or shell pasta to mix it up.
- → How can I keep the sauce smooth?
- Hold onto some pasta water and stir it in as needed for the perfect texture.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
- Sure! Reheat with a splash of milk if the sauce feels too thick.
- → What veggies could I include?
- Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or some peas for extra flavor and nutrition.
- → Could I replace beef with another protein?
- Definitely! Ground turkey or chicken works as a tasty swap.