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Savory Cajun garlic butter beef served with creamy rigatoni alfredo

Savory Cajun Garlic Butter Beef with Rigatoni Alfredo

This dish combines spicy Cajun beef with a creamy rigatoni Alfredo, making it a rich and flavorful meal that's ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter for cooking
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
  • 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced for beef and sauce
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)
  • Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
  • A light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning (for garnish)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the rigatoni – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water for later.
  2. Cook the Cajun Garlic Butter Beef – In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Add minced garlic in the last 1–2 minutes of cooking and stir until fragrant. Remove beef from skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Alfredo Sauce – In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring gently. Add Parmesan and mozzarella, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Thin with reserved pasta water to reach your preferred consistency.
  4. Combine Pasta & Beef – Toss rigatoni in the Alfredo sauce until fully coated. Return the Cajun garlic butter beef to the skillet and fold gently to combine.
  5. Serve & Garnish – Plate the creamy rigatoni topped with Cajun beef. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning.

Notes

Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente keeps the texture when mixed with sauce. Save the pasta water — its starch helps the sauce cling to the rigatoni. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, add a little cream or the reserved pasta water to thin it.