Zesty Cajun Alfredo Bowties Beef (Printable)
Creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce coats tender bowtie pasta, topped with perfectly seasoned beef for a rich, satisfying dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
02 - 1 Tbsp salt for pasta water
→ Spiced Beef
03 - 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
04 - 1 Tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
07 - ½ tsp garlic powder
08 - ½ tsp onion powder
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Alfredo Sauce
11 - 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
12 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
15 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1–2 tsp Cajun seasoning
17 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
19 - 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
20 - Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine beef strips with olive oil, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned beef and cook 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside, loosely covered.
04 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and add cubed cream cheese. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts completely and sauce is smooth.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat thoroughly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
08 - Arrange cooked spiced beef over the pasta. Toss gently to distribute or leave beef on top as a garnish.
09 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The Cajun kick cuts through all that rich creaminess like a breeze through an open window
- That spiced beef on top transforms ordinary pasta into something you would order at a restaurant
02 -
- Cream cheese can seize up and get grainy if the heat is too high so keep it at medium and be patient
- Reserving pasta water is the difference between a sauce that slides off and one that hugs every noodle
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan because the anti caking agents in pre grated cheese prevent smooth melting
- Slice the beef against the grain and keep it thin so it stays tender after searing