Description
Indulge in a comforting bowl of Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef, where rich flavors meet a delightful kick. This dish is perfect for elevating your weeknight dinners with a taste of New Orleans.
Ingredients
- Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle)
- Lean Ground Beef
- Cajun Seasoning
- Cream Cheese
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Celery
- Garlic
- Beef Broth
- Non-Alcoholic Cooking Liquid
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's fully browned. Drain off any excess grease, leaving just a little for flavor. Sprinkle the ground beef generously with 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning (to taste) and stir well. Remove the seasoned beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Holy Trinity: Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
- Add Garlic and Deglaze: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in about 1/4 cup of non-alcoholic cooking liquid or beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for a minute until slightly reduced.
- Build the Creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring until it's melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of beef broth, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth and combined. Stir in another 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning (or more, to your preference) and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
- Melt in the Parmesan: Once the sauce is simmering gently, slowly stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, until it's completely melted and the sauce is thick and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of your reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained bowtie pasta. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and ground beef are thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Adjust the spice level by adding more or less Cajun seasoning. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick. Experiment with different cheeses for a unique flavor.