Spicy Cajun Beef Pasta with Bell Peppers
This medium-difficulty American pasta dish features tender ground beef cooked with vibrant bell peppers and a blend of Cajun spices, served over al dente pasta. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a flavorful and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Main Ingredients
- Vegetables
- Spices
- Sauce
- Spices
- Seasoning
- Pasta
- Garnish
Let’s make it
Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Main Cooking
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Main Cooking
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Vegetables
Stir in the sliced red and yellow bell peppers. Continue to cook for 5 minutes until peppers are tender but still crisp.
Spices
Mix in the Cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Sauce
Add tomato paste and stir well to coat the beef and vegetables. Pour in the beef broth and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Assembly
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to combine everything evenly and coat pasta with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
Serving
Remove from heat. Serve sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Tips & notes
For richer flavor, use a blend of red and yellow bell peppers to add sweetness and color. Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control spiciness. Using fresh herbs as a garnish enhances aroma and flavor.
Saving it for later
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the pasta completely before refrigerating to maintain texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Microwave reheating is also possible in short intervals, stirring between, to avoid drying out.
