Description
A rich and comforting Cheesy Bowtie Pasta recipe featuring savory Cajun-seasoned ground beef tossed in a creamy garlic sauce, perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
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 water before draining the pasta.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef while breaking it up with a spatula. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the beef and continue cooking until the meat is no longer 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 Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic. Let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the cream slightly thickens.
- Add Cheeses and Season: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan until they melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth. Season with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Beef and Pasta: Return the Cajun seasoned ground beef to the skillet and add the cooked bowtie pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the cheese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top. Serve the pasta hot for a creamy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes while sautéing garlic.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture.
- Reserved pasta water helps to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting the flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy pasta, bowtie pasta, Cajun ground beef, garlic cream sauce, easy dinner, creamy pasta
