Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a rich and flavorful pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce enhanced by Cajun spices and perfectly browned ground beef. This quick and easy recipe delivers a comforting meal with a spicy twist, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Ground Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
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 until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the cooked pasta aside.
- Brown the 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 until the beef is browned and slightly crispy. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Melt Cream Cheese: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until it melts and softens into the garlic butter mixture.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half, stirring continuously to avoid lumps and forming a smooth, creamy base.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Beef and Pasta: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the cooked bowtie pasta. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta in the creamy, spicy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, use half-and-half instead of milk.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to help loosen the sauce and ensure smooth texture.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan for added flavor and presentation.
- This dish can be prepared ahead up to step 5 and reheated gently before serving.
Keywords: Cajun pasta recipe, creamy Alfredo sauce, ground beef pasta, bowtie pasta dish, easy weeknight dinner, spicy pasta