Korean BBQ Beef Bowtie Pasta (Printable Version)

Caramelized ground beef and bowtie pasta tossed in a Korean-style soy garlic glaze with sesame and scallions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Beef

01 - 10 ounces farfalle pasta
02 - 14 ounces ground beef
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Korean BBQ Sauce

05 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
11 - 2 tablespoons water, optional

→ Garnish

12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
14 - Chili flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Boil farfalle pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Pour the sauce over the cooked beef in the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. For a thicker glaze, stir together cornstarch and water, add to the skillet, and cook until glossy and thickened.
04 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the beef and sauce.
05 - Transfer to serving plates. Top with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and chili flakes as desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Quick enough for busy nights
  • Approachable for new cooks and adventurous enough for foodies
  • Flavor packed with everyday ingredients
  • Flexible with proteins and veggies so you can use what is in your fridge
02 -
  • Powerful umami flavor from soy garlic and sesame
  • Easily doubles for meal prep or parties
  • Kid approved with just a touch of sweetness
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute or two until fragrant for an extra layer of flavor
  • Add the cornstarch slurry only after the sauce is bubbling for a super glossy finish
  • Save a splash of pasta water each time to help the sauce stick if it gets a little thick
  • This recipe is just as tasty cold straight from the fridge if you are impatient like me

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