Farfalle with Slow-Simmered Meat Sauce Recipe

Farfalle and Meat Sauce is the epitome of classic comfort food: al dente farfalle pasta coated in a rich, hearty meat sauce and finished with plenty of freshly shredded Parmesan. It’s a warming, family-friendly dish that’s easy to prepare any night of the week and satisfies almost every appetite.

Farfalle with Meat Sauce

If you love pasta and tomato-based sauces, this recipe will become a staple. It’s straightforward to make, scales easily for guests, and benefits from a little patience while the sauce simmers—resulting in deep, developed flavor without complicated steps.

If you prefer making your own tomato base, a simple herbed meat sauce works beautifully here. The sauce yields extra portions that freeze well, so make a double batch to have on hand for future quick dinners like baked pasta, lasagna, or spaghetti and meatballs. If time is tight, a high-quality jarred sauce will do; homemade is worth the effort when you can spare the time.

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Recipe Shopping List

Here’s a concise list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this farfalle with meat sauce. For precise measurements, quantities, and the printable recipe card, see the recipe section below.

Meat Sauce

• Yellow onion – diced
• Garlic – minced
• Ground beef – for body and richness
• Salt & pepper – to season
• Garlic powder & onion powder – to boost flavor
• Dry oregano & dried basil – classic Italian herbs
• Extra virgin olive oil – for sautéing
• Crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce – forms the tomato base
• Red wine (optional) – adds depth and acidity
• Dried red pepper flakes – optional, for a touch of heat

Pasta & Cheese

• Farfalle (bowtie) pasta – holds up well to thick sauces
• Parmesan cheese – freshly grated for finishing
• Shredded mozzarella – optional for melting on top

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How To Make This Recipe

Below is a clear overview of the cooking steps. Follow the full recipe in the recipe card for exact timings and measurements.

1. Make the sauce: In a large pot over medium-high heat, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano, and brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks.
2. Simmer: Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine (optional), basil, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about an hour to deepen flavors.
3. Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook farfalle until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. Combine: Toss pasta with the meat sauce so each piece is well coated. Transfer to a baking dish if you plan to top with cheese and melt under the broiler briefly for a bubbly finish.
5. Finish and serve: Top with freshly grated Parmesan and, if desired, shredded mozzarella. Serve hot with your favorite side like garlic bread or a crisp salad.

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Recipe FAQ

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Serve This With

Serve the dish with warm garlic breadsticks or a fresh loaf of bread slathered with garlic butter and melted cheese. A bright Greek salad or a Caesar-style salad adds a crisp contrast to the rich pasta, and a simple green vegetable rounds out the meal.

Yield: 8 servings

Farfalle with Meat Sauce

A family favorite: bowtie pasta tossed in a slow-simmered meat and tomato sauce, topped with Parmesan and melted mozzarella for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dry oregano
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
• ½ cup red wine (optional)
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta & Cheese

• 1 pound farfalle noodles
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground beef and seasonings, and brown the meat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour to concentrate flavors.
3. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook farfalle until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and reserve a little pasta water if needed.
4. Toss the cooked farfalle with the meat sauce, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water if desired. Transfer to a baking dish, top with Parmesan and mozzarella, and bake or broil briefly until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve hot with additional grated Parmesan and pepper to taste.

Notes

• You’ll likely have leftover sauce — it freezes well and can be used for future meals.
• If freezing a prepared pasta bake, undercook the pasta slightly so it retains texture after reheating.
• For a lighter version, substitute part of the beef with ground turkey or use lean beef and reduce added oil.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 590 | Total Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1318mg | Carbohydrates: 40g | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Protein: 36g

Nutrition data is an estimate.