Description
This Indulgent Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Beef Delight is a rich and creamy pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with flavorful Cajun-spiced ground beef in a luscious cream cheese Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it balances indulgence with bold spices and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta (can substitute with penne or rigatoni)
Protein
- 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 cloves Garlic (freshly minced)
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on heat preference)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook 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.
- Brown 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 in the skillet 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 Cream Cheese Sauce: Add the cream cheese to the skillet, stirring continually until it melts and combines with the garlic, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while whisking to combine until smooth and creamy, which should take about 3–4 minutes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Beef and Pasta: 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.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: 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
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne or rigatoni depending on preference.
- For a lighter version, use light cream cheese and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps to thin the sauce if it gets too thick.
- Italian sausage can be used instead of ground beef for a different flavor profile.
