Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
A rich and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef, combining tender bowtie pasta with a creamy, cheesy sauce seasoned with Cajun spices and perfectly browned ground beef for a comforting and spicy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook until browned and slightly crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce Base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cream cheese and stir until softened.
- Add Liquid to Sauce: Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half to create a creamy base. Stir continuously to avoid lumps and ensure smooth consistency.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasoning: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Combine Beef and Pasta with Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add additional red pepper flakes or extra Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Use half-and-half for a richer sauce or milk for a lighter option.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce thickness without diluting flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta.
Keywords: Cajun pasta, Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, spiced ground beef, bowtie pasta recipe
