Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Dinner Bake

This is the kind of dinner that feels fancy enough to post a photo of, but forgiving enough that nobody will notice you used jarred sauce and a questionable amount of cheese. Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Dinner Bake is exactly what it sounds like: bowtie pasta, browned ground beef, a silky cheesy sauce that glues everything together, and the kind of leftovers your future self will thank you for at 11:23 p.m. Try it because it’s comfort food without the assembly-line chaos of lasagna, and because baking anything in one dish makes you feel like you’ve achieved adulting.

Once, I tried to be heroic and make this for a “nice” family night. Husband volunteered to set the table and somehow turned that into building a wooden fort out of placemats, while the kids staged a dramatic soap-opera argument about who discovered the last garlic knot (spoiler: it was the dog). I burned the edges because I was distracted, blamed the oven, and he filed a formal complaint to the “Burnt Crust Coalition.” We all ate it anyway, wearing napkins as capes. Moral: it survives family chaos and questionable table manners.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use frozen peas or mixed veg instead of chopping fresh. The freezer aisle is your friend.
– Swap fresh herbs for a generous pinch of dried herbs—no guilt, just flavor.
– Do the browning and sauce in the same skillet, then dump everything into a baking dish. One pan = fewer witnesses.
– Buy pre-shredded cheese. Yes, it’s coated in something to stay loose. You will live.
– If you’re in a real hurry, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or store-bought meat crumbles. Call it fusion.
– Line the baking dish with foil or parchment. Wash one dish less and tell yourself you’ve earned it.
– Sneaky trick: toss hot pasta right into the sauce and skip pre-baking the noodles. It’ll be slightly different, but still delicious.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with a simple green salad dressed in something acidic so your mouth doesn’t turn into a cheese puddle.
– Garlic bread? Yes. Buttered toast? Also yes. Both is acceptable if you want to be remembered as a legend.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts today. Red, white, boxed—your call. No judgment.
– Keep it simple if you’re exhausted: a lemon wedge and chopped parsley makes it look intentional instead of “we dug in.”

What to Serve It With

– A crisp Caesar or arugula salad to cut through the creaminess.
– Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli for the veg checkmark.
– Crusty bread to scoop up sauce (because fingers are for licking).
– A light dessert—fruit or gelato—so you can pretend the meal was balanced.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcook the pasta: Slightly under for the bake; it finishes in the oven. Nobody wants mushy bowties.
– Season in layers: Salt the pasta water, season the beef while browning, and taste the sauce before it goes in the oven.
– Cottage cheese/ricotta swap: If your sauce is too thin, a dollop of ricotta or cream cheese saves the day.
– Avoid dryness: If it looks tight coming out of the oven, add a splash of milk or broth when serving.
– I once forgot to drain the beef and the whole thing turned into a sad soupy casserole. Don’t be me.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Fridge: 3–4 days in an airtight container.
– Freezer: Up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
– Reheat gently in a covered oven dish or microwave in bursts, stirring in a splash of milk to revive creaminess.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Try Italian sausage for more oomph, or ground turkey for a leaner version.
– Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach if you want to feel virtuous.
– Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or chipotle in adobo for attitude.
– Dairy-free? Use a plant-based cream and vegan cheese. It’ll taste different but still cozy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creamy Ground Beef Bowtie Dinner Bake

A comforting and delicious dinner bake with ground beef and bowtie pasta, perfect for family meals.

No ratings yet

Rate This Yum Pin This Recipe For Later! Share The Yum On Facebook Print

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.25 lb ground beef Use lean for a healthier option.
• ▢ 12 oz bowtie pasta Cook according to package instructions.
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream For a rich and creamy texture.
• ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese "Medium or sharp for added flavor."
• ▢ 1 cup diced tomatoes Canned or fresh, drained if canned.
• ▢ 0.5 cup chopped onion About 1 small onion.
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder For an aromatic touch.
• ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning Use fresh herbs for better flavor.
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper Adjust to taste.
• ▢ 0.5 tsp salt Add more if necessary after tasting.

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until softened.
• Mix in the tomatoes, heavy cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Gently fold in the cooked bowtie pasta and half of the cheddar cheese into the beef mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

For added crunch, serve with a side salad or garlic bread. You can also top with fresh parsley.