Description
This one-pan pasta recipe wraps up the rich and vibrant flavors of the South in just 30 minutes.
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
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook it according to the package directions until al dente. This typically takes about 7-10 minutes depending on the brand. Once cooked, drain the pasta, making sure to reserve about half a cup of the pasta water, which will be used later to adjust the sauce consistency.
- In a large skillet heated over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef to the skillet. Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and cooked through—about 5-7 minutes. If there’s excess fat in the skillet, consider draining it off to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Once the beef is browned, push it to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion to the empty space, cooking it for about 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Then, mix in the minced garlic and cook everything together for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the beef and onion mixture, ensuring everything gets coated. Stir it around for about a minute, allowing the spices to toast slightly—this step enhances their flavor.
- Now, lower the skillet heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream and beef broth. Stir to combine all the flavors well. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes or until it thickens slightly. Keep an eye on it to prevent boiling over!
- After the sauce has thickened, add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese into the dish, stirring until it’s melted and fully blended in.
- If you find that the sauce is too thick for your liking, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up, ensuring it sticks beautifully to the pasta. Season with additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and serve the creamy Cajun beef and rotini while hot. For an extra touch, sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy this tasty dish with your family and friends!
Notes
Always reserve some pasta water; it’s a great way to adjust texture without losing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Protein: 36 g