Description
This Cajun Beef Spaghetti recipe features perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a creamy three-cheese Parmesan sauce, combined with spicy, flavorful ground beef seasoned with Cajun spices. It’s a satisfying and indulgent dinner that delivers a delicious blend of creamy textures and bold Cajun flavors, garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt, for boiling water
Beef & Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef seasoned with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Add Beef and Simmer: Fold the browned ground beef back into the pasta and sauce mixture. Let everything simmer together for about a minute to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the Cajun beef spaghetti and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; it helps the sauce cling to the spaghetti better.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, reduce heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
