Cheesy Bowtie Pasta (Printable Version)

Creamy bowtie pasta with seasoned ground beef, melted cheeses, and a hint of Cajun spice.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Pasta

01 - 340 grams bowtie pasta

→ Protein

02 - 450 grams ground beef

→ Seasonings and Aromatics

03 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Dairy

07 - 30 grams butter
08 - 360 milliliters heavy cream
09 - 120 grams shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese

→ Herbs

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta water before draining.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with Cajun seasoning and continue cooking until no pink remains. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
03 - Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
05 - Stir in shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. If needed, loosen the sauce with reserved pasta water.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Adjust Cajun seasoning based on spice preference. Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.