Description
Indulgent Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Beef Delight is a rich and flavorful pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a creamy Cajun-seasoned Alfredo sauce made from cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Ground beef seasoned with Cajun spices adds a hearty, spicy kick, while garlic and fresh parsley enhance the aroma and freshness. This satisfying meal comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta (can substitute with penne or rigatoni)
Meat
- 1 lb Ground Beef (can swap for Italian sausage)
Sauce
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (light cream cheese works for lighter option)
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (use half-and-half for lower-fat option)
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on heat preference)
- 2 cloves Garlic (freshly minced)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, then drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning it generously with Cajun seasoning. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for about 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside while leaving the drippings for flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Create Sauce Base: Add the cream cheese to the skillet with the garlic, stirring continually until it melts and combines with the garlic, taking about 2 minutes.
- Add Cream: Gradually pour in the heavy cream, whisking it together with the melted cream cheese until smooth and creamy, which should take about 3–4 minutes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the spiced ground beef to the skillet, followed by the cooked bowtie pasta. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir vigorously to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired creaminess.
- Finish and Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish your Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity to control the level of spiciness.
- Use light cream cheese and half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and add silkiness.
- Italian sausage can be substituted for ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness and color as a garnish.
