Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Bowtie Pasta with Italian Sausage & Spinach
A comforting and hearty meal featuring bowtie pasta tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce with beef, Italian sausage, and spinach.
Ingredients
Pasta & Meat
- 1 lb bowtie pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil For cooking meat
- 4 tbsp butter For the sauce
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour Thickening agent for the sauce
- 3 cups milk For creaminess
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese For flavor
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For creaminess
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning Adjust as per spice preference
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and set aside.
Cooking Meat
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Then, stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the thawed spinach and cook until warmed through. Remove the skillet from heat.
Making the Sauce
- In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Let it come to a gentle simmer and thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. If needed, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
Combining
- Pour the cheese sauce into the meat mixture. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until well-coated. Let it sit on low heat for a minute or two so the flavors can come together.
Notes
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.