Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef is a creamy, spicy pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a rich cream cheese Alfredo sauce flavored with Cajun seasoning and hearty spiced ground beef.
You’ll love this recipe because it balances the smoky warmth of Cajun spices with the smooth, cheesy richness of an Alfredo sauce. The ground beef adds satisfying texture and flavor, while the reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 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
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
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Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions; reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain pasta and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add ground beef and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until browned and slightly crispy; remove and set aside.
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Reduce heat to medium; add remaining butter and garlic to skillet, sauté 30 seconds. Add cream cheese and stir until softened.
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Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half, stirring continuously until creamy and smooth, no lumps.
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Stir in grated Parmesan and remaining Cajun seasoning; simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Return ground beef to skillet; add cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
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Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips for Success
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Use softened cream cheese for smooth sauce.
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Crisp up ground beef slightly for texture.
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Stir sauce constantly to avoid lumps.
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Adjust Cajun seasoning according to spice preference.
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Reserve pasta water to control sauce thickness.
Delicious Variations
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Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce.
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Substitute cream cheese with half cream cheese, half Greek yogurt for tanginess.
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Use spicy Andouille sausage instead of ground beef.
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Toss in fresh spinach or kale for added greens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cream cheese and milk alternatives.
How spicy is it?
Mild to medium heat; adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes as preferred.
Can I prepare ahead?
Yes, keep pasta and sauce separate; combine and reheat before serving.
Can I use other pasta shapes?
Yes, penne, rotini, or shells work well.
How to reheat leftovers?
Warm gently on stovetop with splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, spicy pasta dish combining tender bowtie pasta with a rich cream cheese Alfredo sauce flavored with Cajun seasoning and hearty spiced ground beef.
Ingredients
1 pound bowtie pasta
1 pound ground beef
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
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until browned and slightly crispy; remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium; add remaining butter and garlic to skillet, sauté 30 seconds. Add cream cheese and stir until softened.
Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half, stirring continuously until creamy and smooth.
Stir in Parmesan and remaining Cajun seasoning; simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Return ground beef and cooked pasta to skillet; toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
Serve hot, garnish with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or red pepper flakes as desired.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese for smooth sauce.
Crisp ground beef slightly for texture.
Stir sauce constantly to avoid lumps.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to preferred spice level.
Reserve pasta water to control sauce thickness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 37
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 115
Keywords: cajun cream cheese alfredo, spicy bowtie pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy cajun pasta, one-pan cajun dinner
