Description
Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a delightful twist on traditional pasta dishes, bringing together bold Cajun flavors and creamy goodness. This recipe transforms classic Alfredo into an exciting meal, featuring tender bowtie pasta coated in a rich sauce made from cream cheese, Parmesan, and perfectly seasoned ground beef. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a comforting dinner that’s not only quick but also packed with flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Plus, it’s great for leftovers, ensuring you can savor this dish again the next day!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
Instructions
- Cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and crispy; set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat and sauté garlic in remaining butter for 30 seconds. Stir in cream cheese until softened.
- Gradually whisk in milk or half-and-half to create a smooth sauce. Mix in Parmesan cheese and remaining Cajun seasoning; simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Combine pasta and cooked beef with the sauce; add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg