Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package directions until it's al dente—this usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking! Once done, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the finely diced onion. Sauté for about 2–3 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds; be careful not to let it burn—burnt garlic can ruin your dish!

Now it's time to add in that delicious ground beef! Break it apart with a spatula as you add it to the pan. Cook until it's browned thoroughly, which should take about 5–6 minutes. If there’s any excess fat after cooking, feel free to drain it off—you want just enough left to keep everything juicy.

Once your beef is browned, pour in half a cup of beef broth along with red pepper flakes (if you’re feeling adventurous) and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Allow this mixture to simmer for about 3–4 minutes so that those flavors meld together beautifully and the broth reduces slightly.

It’s time for the star of our show—the pasta! Add the cooked bowtie pasta directly into your skillet with the beef mixture. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly so that each piece of pasta is coated in that scrumptious garlic butter sauce. If you feel it's looking a bit dry, drizzle in a little more olive oil for extra gloss and moisture.

Once everything is well mixed, it’s time to serve! Plate up generous portions of this delightful dish on warm plates. To finish each serving, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with chopped parsley for that pop of color and freshness. A dash of cracked black pepper adds an extra touch!