Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender bowtie pasta with a rich Cajun-seasoned cream cheese Alfredo sauce and perfectly spiced ground beef. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy yet indulgent meal that brings a Cajun twist to a classic Alfredo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (divided from 2 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (remaining from 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Other
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Soften Cream Cheese: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir until it begins to melt and soften.
- Create Alfredo Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half to the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy base without lumps.
- Finish Sauce with Cheese and Seasoning: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Combine All Components: 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 and achieve desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or an additional sprinkle of red pepper flakes per preference.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for milk for a richer sauce.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Reserving pasta water helps to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- This dish pairs well with a green salad or steamed vegetables to balance its richness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Cajun Alfredo pasta, Bowtie pasta recipe, Cream cheese Alfredo, Spicy ground beef pasta, Easy Cajun dinner