Description

Indulgent Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Beef Delight is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender bowtie pasta tossed in a rich Cajun-spiced cream cheese Alfredo sauce with savory ground beef. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the zest of Cajun seasoning with the smoothness of cream and Parmesan cheese, garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz Bowtie Pasta (can substitute with penne or rigatoni)

Beef

1 lb Ground Beef (can swap for Italian sausage)

Sauce

8 oz Cream Cheese (light cream cheese works for lighter option)
1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Heavy Cream (use half-and-half for lower-fat option)
2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on heat preference)
2 cloves Garlic (freshly minced)

Garnish

2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, then drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning it generously with Cajun seasoning. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for about 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside while leaving the drippings for flavor.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant and slightly golden.
Make the Cream Cheese Sauce: Add the cream cheese to the skillet, stirring continually until it melts and combines with the garlic, taking about 2 minutes.
Add Heavy Cream: Gradually pour in the heavy cream, whisking it together with the melted cream cheese until smooth and creamy, which should take about 3–4 minutes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
Combine All Ingredients: Return the spiced ground beef to the skillet, followed by the cooked bowtie pasta. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir vigorously to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired creaminess.
Garnish and Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish your Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute light cream cheese and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
You can swap ground beef with Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spiciness to your preference.
Reserve pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency to your liking.
Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.