Zesty Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo Bowties (Printable)

Creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce coats tender bowties, topped with perfectly seasoned spiced beef for a satisfying comfort meal.

# 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 (to taste)
17 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
20 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Cook the bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water. Set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the beef strips with olive oil, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well coated.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef strips and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove beef from skillet and set aside, loosely covered.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
05 - Add heavy cream and cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
08 - Top the pasta with the cooked spiced beef. Toss gently or leave beef on top as a garnish.
09 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of creamy Alfredo and bold Cajun spices creates layers of flavor that feel restaurant quality but come together in under an hour
  • Everything cooks in one skillet (plus the pasta pot), meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal
02 -
  • Slice your beef against the grain and keep the pieces thin, this prevents tough, chewy meat and ensures every bite is tender
  • Room temperature cream cheese melts into the cream much more smoothly, so take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start cooking
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge, the pre shredded stuff has anti caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly into your sauce
  • Let the beef rest on a plate while you make the sauce, those juices will mix back in when you combine everything at the end

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