Description
This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a rich Cajun-spiced ground beef and a smooth cream cheese Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner with a spicy twist, it balances cheesy goodness with aromatic seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
Sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ 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 Butter: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Add cream cheese to the skillet and stir until softened. Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half to create a creamy base, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Mix in grated Parmesan and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Ingredients: Return cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick, until well coated.
- Serve: Serve hot and garnish with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for easier melting.
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it helps emulsify the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cajun, Cream Cheese Alfredo, Bowtie Pasta, Ground Beef, Spicy Pasta, Easy Dinner
