Description
This creamy and flavorful Cheesy Bowtie Pasta with Savory Cajun Ground Beef combines tender bowtie pasta with a rich garlic cream sauce, melted cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, and perfectly seasoned Cajun-spiced ground beef. It's a comforting and satisfying dish, perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
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
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the 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 pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the beef and continue cooking until there is no more pink. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add the Cheeses and Seasoning: Stir in the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and add the drained bowtie pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve the dish hot for a delicious, cheesy, and savory meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Cajun seasoning.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftover pasta can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
