Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowtie Pasta with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef combines creamy, cheesy alfredo sauce with flavorful Cajun-seasoned ground beef and tender bowtie pasta for a rich and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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Ingredients
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook 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 and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and cream cheese: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds. Add cream cheese and stir until softened.
- Add milk: Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half to create a creamy base. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Thicken sauce: Mix in grated Parmesan and remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine all: Return cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Serve: Serve hot and garnish with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.