Description
Craving bold flavors and creamy comfort? This Spicy Cajun Bowtie Pasta with Beef, Sausage & Creamy Garlic Sauce is your perfect go-to for a satisfying and easy dinner idea. With hearty ground beef, savory sausage, tender pasta, and a rich garlic cream sauce with a Cajun kick, this dish brings restaurant-style flavor to your kitchen. It’s the ultimate quick dinner, perfect for busy weeknights, comforting family meals, or meal prep. Whether you’re after a cozy food idea or a spicy pasta twist, this easy recipe will become a staple in your rotation.
Ingredients
12 oz bowtie pasta
0.5 lb ground beef
0.5 lb ground Italian sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small red bell pepper diced
3 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1 small onion finely diced
1.5 cups heavy cream
0.5 cup chicken broth
1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
0.25 cup grated Parmesan
Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Extra Parmesan (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and brown the ground beef and sausage until cooked through. Drain excess grease and set meat aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and red bell pepper for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the skillet. Add heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
5. Return the beef and sausage to the pan. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir gently. Sprinkle in mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir until cheese melts and pasta is fully coated.
7. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your liking.
8. Remove from heat, garnish with parsley, extra cheese, or chili flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Let your dairy come to room temperature before adding to avoid curdling the sauce.
Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest melt and best texture.
Slightly undercook your pasta before mixing into the sauce—it will finish cooking in the pan for better flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 910mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: spicy cajun pasta, creamy garlic sauce, easy dinner, pasta with beef and sausage, comfort food, weeknight meal