Description
This Cajun Beef Spaghetti recipe combines tender ground beef with a creamy three-cheese Parmesan sauce, infused with bold Cajun spices. Cooked spaghetti is tossed in a luscious blend of heavy cream, chicken broth, tomato, and melted cheeses for a rich, flavorful pasta dish that delivers a comforting yet spicy twist perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Tomato and Dairy
- 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside to be added later to the sauce for perfect consistency.
- Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Season Meat Mixture: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes over the beef and onions. Stir well to evenly coat the mixture with spices.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste, combining them thoroughly. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Melt Cheeses: Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar cheeses until they melt into the sauce creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta fully with the creamy cheese sauce and warm through.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for a fresh, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce for perfect coating on the spaghetti.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level in the dish.
- Use a large skillet to allow even cooking of beef and easy mixing with pasta.
- Cheeses can be substituted according to preference, but Parmesan adds essential sharpness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, noting sauce consistency will be thinner.
