Description

This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties recipe combines tender bowtie pasta with richly spiced ground beef and a creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce enhanced by Cajun seasonings. Perfect for those seeking a comforting yet boldly flavored pasta dish, it offers a delightful blend of creaminess, spice, and savory beef that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta

Ground Beef & Seasoning

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

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

Additional

2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

Cook the 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 the pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
Cook the spiced 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 browned and slightly crispy, stirring occasionally. Remove the beef and set it aside.
Sauté the garlic: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Make the creamy sauce base: Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and smooth. Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half to create a creamy base, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
Add Parmesan & seasoning: 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 slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
Combine beef and pasta with sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Serve: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for additional heat.

Notes

Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency easily.
Use half-and-half for a richer sauce or milk for a lighter option.
You can adjust the level of Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef and low-fat cream cheese.
Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for added color and freshness.

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

Keywords: Cajun pasta, Cream cheese Alfredo, ground beef pasta, spicy Alfredo sauce, bowtie pasta recipe