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 one-pan dish combining al dente bowtie pasta with spicy Cajun-seasoned ground beef, all enveloped in a rich, creamy garlic cheese sauce. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare yet delivers bold flavors and creamy textures everyone will love.
- 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
Ground Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 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 the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the beef and continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Beef and Pasta: Return the browned Cajun ground beef to the skillet. Add the cooked bowtie pasta and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. If needed, loosen the sauce with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water is helpful to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and sharp cheddar for the best melting and flavor.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, reduce the heavy cream or substitute half with milk.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and mild herby brightness; you can substitute with fresh basil or chives.
Keywords: bowtie pasta, Cajun ground beef, garlic cream sauce, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, one pan, comfort food
