Cheesy Bowtie Pasta with Savory Cajun Ground Beef in Garlic Cream Recipe
This Cheesy Bowtie Pasta with Savory Cajun Ground Beef in Garlic Cream is a comforting and flavorful dish combining perfectly cooked bowtie pasta with spicy Cajun-seasoned ground beef, all enveloped in a rich, creamy garlic cheese sauce. It’s an easy one-pan meal that balances bold spices with creamy textures, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning evenly over the beef and stir to combine. Transfer cooked beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned, stirring constantly.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth. Season the sauce with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked Cajun ground beef to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Add the cooked bowtie pasta and toss everything together to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it by adding a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and stir gently. Serve the cheesy bowtie pasta hot and enjoy.
Notes
- To adjust spiciness, increase or decrease the amount of Cajun seasoning.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adding a splash of pasta water helps achieve the perfect creamy consistency without thinning the sauce too much.
Keywords: Cheesy Bowtie Pasta, Cajun Ground Beef, Garlic Cream Sauce, One-Pan Pasta, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner
