Description

Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a rich and flavorful pasta dish that combines al dente bowtie pasta with a creamy, cheesy Cajun-seasoned sauce and spicy ground beef. This comforting recipe balances the heat of Cajun spices with the smoothness of cream cheese and Parmesan, making it a perfect weeknight meal that’s both hearty and indulgent.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)

Meat

1 pound ground beef

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

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente following the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set it aside for later use.
Brown Ground Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is browned and slightly crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Melt Cream Cheese: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic. Sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir until it begins to melt and soften.
Add Milk: Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half, stirring continuously to create a creamy, smooth base without lumps.
Incorporate Parmesan and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Combine Beef and Pasta: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick to achieve a creamy consistency.
Serve: Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added heat, if desired.

Notes

You can substitute half-and-half with whole milk for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less creamy.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
Reserve pasta water is key to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
Using freshly grated Parmesan provides a better texture and flavor than pre-grated cheese.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

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

Keywords: Cajun pasta, Cream cheese alfredo, Bowtie pasta recipe, Spiced ground beef pasta, Cajun ground beef, Creamy Cajun pasta, Easy dinner recipes