Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe
This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef recipe is a creamy, comforting dish that combines tender bowtie pasta, rich cream cheese Alfredo sauce with a spicy Cajun twist, and savory browned ground beef. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers bold flavors with a smooth, cheesy texture and a hint of heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Ground Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 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
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (remaining)
- 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.
- Brown 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: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Cream Cheese Base: Add cream cheese to the skillet and stir until softened and creamy, ensuring it melts into the butter and garlic.
- Add Milk and Cheese: Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half to create a creamy base, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Mix in grated Parmesan and remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Beef and Pasta: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the cooked bowtie pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for easier melting and smoother sauce.
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it helps emulsify and loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting quality and flavor depth.
Keywords: Cajun Alfredo pasta, cream cheese pasta, ground beef pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, creamy Cajun pasta, dinner recipes, stovetop pasta dish
