Description
How to make creamy Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with perfectly spiced ground beef that your entire family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base & Main Components:
- 1 pound bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Flavor Builders:
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Seasonings & Spices:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- Finishing & Toppings:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta & Beef: Start by boiling water and cooking your bowtie pasta until al dente. While it cooks, brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up. Drain any excess fat thoroughly, then set the beef aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Infuse Spices: Stir in the tomato paste and Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze effectively.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Whisk in the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually stir in heavy cream and Parmesan, simmering gently for 5-7 minutes until the base for your Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties thickens.
- Combine Dish: Return the cooked ground beef to the creamy Alfredo sauce. Add the drained bowtie pasta, tossing gently to coat everything evenly. This creates your delicious Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef.
- Serve & Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish your Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately for a truly comforting family meal.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature to prevent a lumpy, unpleasant Alfredo sauce.
Store leftover Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To make this dish gluten-free, simply use your favorite gluten-free bowtie pasta; other ingredients are naturally GF.
Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan, perhaps with a crisp green salad or garlic bread.
Briefly toast Cajun seasoning with tomato paste; this deepens flavor and enhances the Alfredo sauce.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Gluten