Description
A rich, spicy, and comforting weeknight dinner featuring bowtie pasta tossed in a velvety Cajun-spiced cream sauce with ground beef and vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean recommended)
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt to taste (optional, depending on seasoning salt content)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then set pasta aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season generously with Cajun seasoning. Cook until beef is no longer pink and browned bits form. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in softened cream cheese and heavy cream (or half-and-half). Whisk constantly until cream cheese is melted and sauce is smooth (2-3 minutes). Do not let boil vigorously.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to thin and glossy it.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, topped with chopped green onions.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for milk and use low-fat cream cheese. For a vegetarian option, replace beef with plant-based meat or mushrooms. To avoid a grainy sauce, ensure heat is low when adding dairy. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Cajun beef, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipes, bowtie pasta, comfort food, spicy beef