Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe

Introduction

This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties recipe combines tender bowtie pasta with a rich, spicy cream sauce and savory ground beef. It’s a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bowtie pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the cream cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper if needed.
6. Step 6: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and mix thoroughly to coat it in the creamy sauce.
7. Step 7: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Warm everything through for a couple minutes.
8. Step 8: Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, reduce the Cajun seasoning or substitute with smoked paprika and garlic powder.
• Try adding sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions for extra vegetables.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but it may be slightly less rich.
• Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor and melts more smoothly than pre-grated options.

Storage

Store leftover Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! While bowtie pasta works well to hold the creamy sauce, penne, rotini, or fusilli are excellent alternatives that also capture the sauce nicely.

Is this recipe very spicy?

The Cajun seasoning adds a moderate level of spice, but you can adjust it to your taste by using less seasoning or choosing a milder blend.

Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A rich and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties recipe featuring tender bowtie pasta tossed in a creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce with savory spiced ground beef, garlic, and onions. This comforting dish combines the creaminess of Parmesan and cream cheese with bold Cajun seasoning, perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 1 pound bowtie pasta

Beef Mixture

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter

Garnish

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it until browned and cooked through. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Once done, remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they are fragrant and soft, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Make Cream Sauce: Add the cream cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until it melts smoothly. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with extra Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper as desired.
6. Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked spiced ground beef to the skillet, mixing it well into the creamy sauce to coat the meat evenly.
7. Mix Pasta: Add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet. Gently fold the pasta into the beef and sauce mixture until thoroughly coated and heated through.
8. Serve: Plate the pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

• For extra spice, add more Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• You can substitute bowtie pasta with any short pasta like penne or rotini.
• To make it lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
• Fresh parsley adds a nice color and freshness but is optional.
• Make sure to not overcook the pasta to keep the texture perfect.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun

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