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Cajun Beef with Rotini

Cajun Beef with Rotini
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This Cajun Beef with Rotini recipe offers a quick, flavorful dinner featuring tender, spicy ground beef combined with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. Bursting with authentic Cajun spices and balanced with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and garlic, it’s a comforting, family-friendly dish ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend (paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Begin by boiling salted water and cooking the rotini pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water to loosen the sauce later if needed.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant.
  3. Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, draining excess fat if necessary.
  4. Season with Cajun Spices: Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well to coat the meat and vegetables thoroughly, allowing the spices to toast slightly for deeper flavor.
  5. Add Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors and thicken slightly.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked rotini directly into the skillet. Mix everything gently but thoroughly to ensure every pasta piece is coated in the spicy beef sauce.
  7. Final Touches: If the mixture seems thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh Cajun seasoning for the most vibrant flavor.
  • Cook rotini al dente as it will absorb sauce and soften further once combined.
  • Toast spices in the pan briefly before adding liquids to build layers of flavor.
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes off heat to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control heat level according to your preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun beef recipe, spicy beef pasta, rotini pasta dinner, quick Cajun dinner, one pan meals

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/cajun-beef-with-rotini/