Description
A rich and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties recipe featuring perfectly cooked bowtie pasta tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce with spiced ground beef, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This indulgent dish is quick to prepare and garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Bowtie Pasta (Substitution options include penne or rigatoni)
Meat & Seasoning
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Consider using ground turkey or sausage)
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning (Adjust based on your spice tolerance)
Sauce
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (Substitute sour cream for a tangier taste)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Half-and-half can be used for a lighter version)
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Swap for Pecorino Romano for a sharper bite)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, always opt for fresh garlic)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (Chopped, optional but recommended for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and sprinkle in your Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 6-8 minutes until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Sauté garlic and create cream sauce: In the same skillet with the cooked beef, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, incorporate the cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking continuously over medium heat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the beef and cream sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
- Incorporate cheese and finalize seasoning: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir well until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Plate the pasta warm and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color and brightness.
Notes
- Substitute penne or rigatoni pasta if bowties are not available.
- Use ground turkey or sausage as a lighter or different protein alternative.
- Sour cream can replace cream cheese for a tangier flavor profile.
- Half-and-half is a good substitute for heavy cream to reduce richness.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice tolerance; add more for extra heat or less for milder flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and achieve the perfect consistency.
- Fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
