Creamy Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Beef (Print Version)

Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with spiced ground beef brings a kick to your pasta night. Creamy, savory, and so satisfying for a weeknight meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Protein

01 - 1 pound bowtie pasta (farfalle)
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20)

→ Creamy Sauce Essentials

03 - 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
04 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
05 - 1 cup chicken broth
06 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

→ Cajun Kick & Aromatics

07 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)

→ Finishing Touches

11 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get a big pot of water boiling. And remember my earlier mishap? Salt that water generously! It should taste like the ocean. Once it's rolling, toss in your bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until it's al dente. This is where I always get distracted and almost overcook it, but trust your gut and the timer! Drain it well, but save about a cup of that starchy pasta water – it’s liquid gold for thinning the sauce later if you need it. Set the cooked pasta aside.
02 - While your pasta is doing its thing, grab a large skillet or Dutch oven and brown your ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's completely browned and no longer pink, drain off all that excess fat. This is a critical step for a rich, but not greasy, sauce. I once skipped this, and let's just say the sauce was a little... slick. Stir in your Cajun seasoning and cook for another minute until fragrant. Transfer the seasoned beef to a separate bowl for now.
03 - In the same skillet (don't worry about wiping it out, those bits of flavor are good!), add a splash of olive oil if needed, then toss in your diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic here; burnt garlic is a bitter, sad flavor, and we want happy flavors for our Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties!
04 - Now for the sauce! Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the skillet with the aromatics. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This is where the magic happens, and you’ll see it transform into this beautiful, velvety base. Keep whisking gently until it’s all incorporated, about 3-5 minutes.
05 - Once your sauce is silky smooth, stir in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until it melts into the sauce, making it even thicker and more luxurious. Then, gently fold in your seasoned ground beef. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed and warming through. This is where the sauce takes on that deep, savory character, perfect for our Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties.
06 - Finally, add your drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the sauce and beef. Toss everything together gently until every single bowtie is coated in that gorgeous, creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Let it warm through for a minute or two. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? Pure heaven! Serve it up immediately, maybe with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

# Notes:

01 - Always grate your own Parmesan; it melts so much better and prevents a grainy sauce.
02 - Leftovers are great, but the sauce thickens. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating for best results.
03 - No ground beef? Ground Italian sausage works wonders for a different flavor profile!
04 - Serve with a simple green salad to balance the richness of the dish.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - large skillet or Dutch oven
03 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 45g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 30g

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