Irresistibly Creamy Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Beef
Enjoy the rich flavors of Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef—a quick, creamy, and versatile dish.
Equipment
- large pot
- Large skillet
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz Bowtie (Farfalle) Pasta Substitute with penne or gluten-free pasta as needed.
For the Sauce
- 4 oz Cream Cheese Ensure it's softened for easier blending.
- 1 cup Milk or Half-and-Half Opt for half-and-half for richer flavor.
- ¾ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated yields the best results.
- 2 tbsp Butter Feel free to swap with cooking oil if necessary.
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced Can replace with garlic powder if needed.
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning Adjust based on heat preference.
- ½ tsp Salt Use kosher or sea salt for optimal taste.
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Freshly ground is always preferable.
- ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes Optional for extra heat.
For the Beef
- 1 lb Ground Beef Swap with ground turkey or a vegetarian option for variety.
- 2 tbsp Reserved Pasta Water As needed to adjust sauce consistency.
Instructions
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Brown until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Sauté three minced garlic cloves for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese, mixing until it’s melted. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk or half-and-half until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return the browned beef to the skillet and toss in the drained pasta, stirring well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve the Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties immediately in warm bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or red pepper flakes.
Notes
Prep ingredients ahead to streamline cooking process. Always reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 670kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 35gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!