Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 2 cups of uncooked bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once the pasta is done, drain it in a colander, but remember to reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water for later use.

In a large skillet, heat over medium heat and add 1 pound of ground beef. Use a spatula to break it apart as it cooks, allowing it to brown evenly. This should take around 5-7 minutes. Once the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.

Reduce the heat to low and push the cooked ground beef to one side of the skillet. On the empty side, add 3 tablespoons of butter, letting it melt slowly. Once melted, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn. Mix the garlic butter into the beef for a rich flavor infusion.

Carefully add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter and beef mixture. Pour in a splash of your reserved pasta water, stirring everything together for about 1-2 minutes to ensure the pasta is well-coated in the delicious garlic butter blend.

Sprinkle in 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing thoroughly until the cheese melts completely. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add more reserved pasta water until you reach your desired creamy consistency.

Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to the skillet, stirring well to incorporate the seasoning throughout the dish. For extra flavor, fold in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley if you’re using them, creating a beautiful blend of flavors.

Once everything is well-mixed and heated through, serve your delightful Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta warm. You can add extra cheese or a sprinkle of parsley on top for a fresh touch.