Description

Craving a bold, comforting dinner that’s easy to pull off on a weeknight? This Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties with Spiced Ground Beef brings together smoky Cajun flavors, creamy Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked bowtie pasta for a one-pan dish that’s pure comfort. The cream cheese takes the sauce to a new level of richness, while the spiced beef turns it into a hearty meal that satisfies. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, a quick weeknight recipe, or something that blends comfort food with bold flavor, this one’s a keeper.

Ingredients

12 oz bowtie pasta

1 lb ground beef

4 oz cream cheese (softened)

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 small onion (diced)

1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and soft.

4. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the beef mixture. Stir and cook for another 1–2 minutes to develop flavor.

5. Reduce heat to medium. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.

6. Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly until a smooth sauce forms.

7. Add shredded cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss until fully coated. Add pasta water gradually if sauce is too thick.

9. Turn off heat, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother sauce that melts evenly.

Taste your Cajun seasoning before adding—it varies by brand in heat and saltiness.

If storing leftovers, reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American / Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
Calories: 580
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, Cajun pasta, ground beef pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner