Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
A flavorful and creamy Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties recipe featuring perfectly cooked bowtie pasta tossed in a rich cream cheese and Parmesan sauce, combined with spiced ground beef seasoned with authentic Cajun spices. This one-pan skillet meal is quick, indulgent, and perfect for a comforting dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
Spiced Ground Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked through, remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add butter and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Add the cream cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until fully melted and creamy.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir constantly, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper if desired.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked spiced ground beef to the skillet and mix well to coat the meat thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained bowtie pasta into the skillet, gently folding everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or more Cajun seasoning to the sauce.
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne or rotini if preferred.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure to taste and adjust seasoning before serving as Cajun seasoning blends vary in salt and spice intensity.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Cajun Alfredo, Cream Cheese Sauce, Bowtie Pasta, Spiced Ground Beef, Cajun Pasta Recipe, One-Pan Dinner, Comfort Food
