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Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef

A delicious and comforting dish featuring creamy Alfredo sauce, zesty Cajun spices, and perfectly cooked bowtie pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
For the Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground beef Use lean ground beef for best flavor.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic adds the best flavor.
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes Adjust for preferred spice level.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Butter For sautéing the beef.
  • 4 oz Cream cheese Use quality cream cheese for best texture.
  • 1 cup Milk or half-and-half Milk will yield a lighter sauce.
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Freshly grated is preferred.
  • 2 tbsp Reserved pasta water To adjust sauce consistency.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the starchy water.
Cooking
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
  2. Add the ground beef, garlic, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the cream cheese, followed by the milk, until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until fully combined.
  5. Toss in the cooked bowtie pasta, using the reserved pasta water as necessary to reach the desired sauce consistency.
Serving
  1. Serve the dish hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or Cajun seasoning.

Notes

For variations, consider using turkey for ground beef for a lighter option or using lentils for a vegetarian version. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.