Description
A rich and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Beef recipe that combines tender bowtie pasta with a creamy Cajun-seasoned sauce and savory ground beef, perfect for a satisfying 30-minute dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (can substitute with penne or rigatoni)
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound Ground Beef (or sausage for extra spice)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
Sauce
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half if preferred)
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated preferred)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil over high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water for later use.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the Cajun seasoning halfway through the cooking to infuse the beef with spice.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: Lower the heat on the skillet and add the minced garlic, sautéing briefly for about 1 minute to maintain its vibrant flavor. Then add the cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and starts to thicken, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the browned beef to the skillet and fold in the drained bowtie pasta. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture and toss everything until well coated in the creamy sauce. Use some of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for better coating.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley to add freshness and color. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter dish, substitute the cream cheese and heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the overall flavor.
- Reserving pasta water is important to adjust sauce consistency.
- Ground sausage can be substituted for ground beef to add more spice and flavor.
