Description

Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a rich and flavorful pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce and savory ground beef. This comforting meal features a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and spicy notes, ideal for a hearty dinner that satisfies a craving for bold flavors with an easy-to-follow stovetop method.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
½ teaspoon salt (for pasta water)

Ground Beef Mixture

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cream Sauce

1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk or half-and-half
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

Cook the 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, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season it with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook the beef until it is browned and slightly crispy, then remove it from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Melt Cream Cheese: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter along with the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
Add Milk to Form Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half, stirring constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps.
Incorporate Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until well combined, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Serve: Serve the Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or an additional sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Use half-and-half for a richer sauce or milk for a lighter option.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste, depending on heat preference.
Reserve pasta water is essential to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to pasta.
For a gluten-free version, substitute bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun American

Keywords: Cajun Alfredo, Cream Cheese Pasta, Spiced Ground Beef Pasta, Bowtie Pasta Recipe, Quick Cajun Dinner