A quick and flavorful 30-minute meal featuring cheesy garlic twisted pasta with Cajun-spiced ground beef and a creamy Alfredo Velveeta sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Author:Emily
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Alfredo sauce
1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Cook twisted pasta according to package directions, aiming for al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the beef. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to medium. Pour in Alfredo sauce and add Velveeta cubes. Stir until cheese is melted and smooth.
Gradually stir in milk until the sauce is creamy. Add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce is too thick.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Let it mingle for 2 minutes off the heat.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pasta water is essential for adjusting sauce consistency.
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference.
Melt cheese over medium-low heat to prevent scorching.
Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef.
Gluten-free pasta is a suitable alternative.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables.
A mix of cream cheese and shredded cheddar can substitute for Velveeta, but the texture will differ.