Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Cooking Steps
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the bowtie pasta, cooking it according to the package instructions until it's al dente, which typically takes around 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for later.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook the meat, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it's browned and cooked through—about 5-7 minutes. If there's excess fat, carefully drain it off.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the spiced ground beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well, cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium, then add the softened cream cheese into the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and blends smoothly.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Continue stirring for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Now, add in the shredded cheese, stirring until it's fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Taste the mixture, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Gently add the cooked bowtie pasta into the sauce, using tongs to toss until each piece is well-coated. Gradually stir in some of the reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick.
- Turn off the heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To freeze, portion in freezer-safe containers and they can stay good for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water.
