Description
A comforting one-skillet meal featuring spaghetti and ground beef in a rich and creamy three-cheese sauce with a hint of Cajun spice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small bits.
- Season the beef with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and let warm gently before adding the cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Toss in the cooked spaghetti, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with parsley or green onions before serving warm.
Notes
For a spicier dish, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. This dish is also great with optional add-ons like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or baby spinach.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cajun, Beef, Spaghetti, Creamy Sauce, Comfort Food