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Cheesy Bowtie Pasta with Savory Cajun Ground Beef in Garlic Cream Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 78 reviews
  • Author: Ella
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Cheesy Bowtie Pasta with Savory Cajun Ground Beef in Garlic Cream is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines perfectly cooked bowtie pasta with spicy, seasoned ground beef and a rich, creamy garlic sauce. The dish is finished with melted cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and garnished with fresh parsley for a delicious, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces bowtie pasta

Beef and Seasoning

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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 10 to 12 minutes depending on the brand. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
  2. Brown Beef. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning evenly over the beef and stir to combine. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned, stirring often to prevent burning.
  4. Make Cream Sauce. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream thickens slightly.
  5. Add Cheese and Seasonings. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan. Stir continuously until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season the sauce with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Combine Ingredients. Return the cooked Cajun ground beef to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Add the drained bowtie pasta and toss everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, loosen it by adding a splash of the reserved pasta water and mixing well.
  7. Serve and Garnish. Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top for a burst of freshness and color. Serve the pasta hot for a delicious, hearty meal.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.
  • If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Bowtie pasta can be substituted with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheesy pasta, bowtie pasta, Cajun ground beef, garlic cream sauce, comfort food, easy dinner

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Find it online: https://delishwithella.com/cheesy-bowtie-pasta-with-savory-cajun-ground-beef-in-garlic-cream-recipe/