Description
This Indulgent Creamy Cajun Beef and Rotini recipe brings together the smoky, spicy flavors of Cajun seasoning with rich cream and savory ground beef, perfectly combined with tender rotini pasta. It’s an ideal cozy dinner that’s quick to prepare yet packed with vibrant, satisfying flavors. Whether you’re craving comfort food or a flavorful twist on pasta night, this dish delivers heartwarming taste and creamy indulgence in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta (Available for substitution with penne or bowtie)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Can be swapped with lean ground turkey)
- 1 medium Onion (Shallots can be used for a milder taste)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Feel free to use garlic powder in a pinch)
- 1 cup Bell Peppers (Mix of red and green for brightness)
Seasonings and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (Store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Substitute with half-and-half for fewer calories)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (Can swap for Pecorino Romano or use nutritional yeast)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can also use vegetable or canola oil)
- to taste Salt (Essential for seasoning)
- to taste Black Pepper (Essential for seasoning)
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Then add chopped bell peppers and continue cooking until they are tender, about 3 more minutes.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Break it up with a spoon and cook thoroughly until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning, stirring well to coat the meat evenly with spices.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken slightly, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta into the skillet with the creamy Cajun beef mixture, tossing everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce and heated through.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun beef rotini hot, optionally garnishing with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs like parsley. Enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Substitute rotini with penne or bowtie pasta for variation.
- Use lean ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter protein option.
- Switch onions with shallots for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic isn’t available.
- Mix red and green bell peppers for added color and flavor.
- For a lighter cream sauce, half-and-half can replace heavy cream.
- Use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast as alternative Parmesan cheese options.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount based on your preferred spice level.
