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Creamy Cajun Beef and Rotini Delight


  • Author: Sally Thompson
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Bold, creamy, and comforting—Creamy Cajun Beef and Rotini Delight is a one-pan pasta dish that brings the heat and flavor of Southern cooking to your dinner table in just 30 minutes. Tender rotini pasta clings to a luscious Cajun-spiced cream sauce loaded with savory ground beef, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, hearty comfort food, or an easy recipe that reheats like a dream, this dish delivers. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or cozy weekend meals. Try this satisfying and flavorful twist on your usual pasta rotation today!


Ingredients

Scale

12 oz rotini pasta

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

1 cup heavy cream

¾ cup beef broth

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green onions for garnish


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Push the beef to one side and add diced onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

4. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning and stir everything to coat. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.

5. Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Add the cooked rotini to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce clings to the pasta.

7. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Garnish with parsley or green onions, if using, and serve warm.

Notes

Always taste your Cajun seasoning first—some brands are saltier or spicier than others.

Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a smoother, richer sauce.

Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce texture if it gets too thick.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, beef pasta, Cajun pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, meal prep, spicy pasta