Zesty Cajun Cream Cheese Alfredo (Printable)
Creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo pasta with seasoned beef for a bold, comforting meal.
# What's Needed:
→ 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 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook bowtie pasta in large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
02 - Toss beef strips with olive oil, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly coated.
03 - Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned beef strips and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside, loosely covered.
04 - Reduce heat to medium in same skillet. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add heavy cream and cream cheese to skillet. Stir constantly until cream cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Add drained pasta to sauce, tossing thoroughly to coat. Add reserved pasta water gradually if sauce is too thick to achieve desired consistency.
08 - Top pasta with cooked spiced beef. Toss gently to combine or leave beef on top as a garnish.
09 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The spicy beef and creamy sauce create this incredible sweet heat balance that keeps everyone reaching for seconds
- It comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you spent all day perfecting the flavors
02 -
- The cream cheese needs to be truly softened or you'll end up with lumpy sauce
- Don't skip reserving that pasta water, it's the secret to perfectly coating consistency
03 -
- Slice your beef when it's slightly frozen for thinner, more even cuts
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the sauce from breaking