One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta – Bold, Creamy

One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta was born on one of those whirlwind Tuesdays work undone, kids restless, dinner nowhere in sight. I needed a creamy cheese pasta recipe that felt like comfort but cooked like a win.

This cheesy beef one pot dinner came together fast spicy, melty, full of heart. And though it’s stovetop magic, I’ve even adapted it into the best air fryer dinner recipe on busy nights.

One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta: Creamy, Spicy, and Ready in One Pot

Now it lives right beside our high protein meal prep recipes, perfect for Sunday batches. The leftovers? Even better. I’ve even made a low carb dinner recipe for weight loss version with zucchini noodles—and it still rocks.One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta.

Ingredients: One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta

1. Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. After 6–7 minutes, when it’s browned and fully cooked, drain off the excess fat.

2. Add the Veggies
Toss in the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step builds your flavor foundation.

3. Season the Base
Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the mixture.

4. Build the Sauce
Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream cheese, beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.

5. Cook the Pasta
Add uncooked macaroni and bring to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

6. Melt the Cheese
Stir in the cheddar cheese and let it fully melt into the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped parsley and serve hot. It’s creamy, spicy, and ridiculously comforting—just like your favorite Comforting Cheesy Taco Potatoes but with more protein punch.

And if you’re keeping carbs in check, this can be adapted into one of your low carb dinner recipes for weight loss—just swap the pasta for spiralized veggies or a grain-free alternative.

Why This One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta Hits So Hard

Creamy, cheesy heat in every spoonful

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta:

• Bold Cajun spice meets creamy cheddar
• Beefy, hearty, full of weeknight comfort
• Soft pasta smothered in a silky cheese sauce
• Each bite is fire-kissed and butter-rich
• Perfect as diabetic-friendly comfort food with simple swaps
• Ideal for any family budget-friendly meal plan

Quick prep, bold flavor, easy cleanup

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta:

• Brown the beef, toss in the pasta, stir the cheese—done
• No baking, no draining, no extra pans
• One pot, 30 minutes, and your house smells amazing
• Use leftover ground beef or swap in turkey for high protein meal prep recipes
• Go gluten-free pasta for low carb dinner recipes for weight loss
• Pairs well with a side of Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Sausage or Simple Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps

Cajun Beef Pasta Variations and Custom Ideas

Quick swaps with what’s in your kitchen

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta Recipe:

• No cheddar? Use Monterey Jack or Colby
• No beef? Ground turkey or sausage works just fine
• No macaroni? Try penne, rotini, or even cauliflower pasta
• No cream? Sub in Greek yogurt or light sour cream
• It’s more flexible than those keto meal delivery kits
• Perfect for your weekly budget family meals

Simple ways to make it your own

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta Recipe:

• Add chopped spinach or mushrooms for a veggie boost
• Want heat? Stir in hot sauce or jalapeños
• Need more protein? Toss in grilled chicken or tofu
• Make it lighter for low carb dinner recipes for weight loss
• It fits in any high protein meal prep recipes rotation
• Pair it with Dolly’s Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole or Cajun Steak Penne with Ranch Honey Cheese Sauce for a full flavor-packed menu

Serving and Storing One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta

How to serve it best

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta Recipe:

• Serve hot, right off the stove, extra melty
• Spoon into bowls with crusty garlic bread on the side
• Top with chopped parsley or a sprinkle of red pepper
• Want cozy? Pair it with Comforting Bacon Onion Tomato Pie
• It’s made for meal plans for busy moms—fast, satisfying, and everyone loves it

How to store it right

Best One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta Recipe:

• Let cool completely before storing—no mushy pasta here
• Scoop into an airtight container, refrigerate up to 4 days
• Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream
• Freezes well too perfect for high protein meal prep recipes

For more recipes follow me in pinterest and Facebook 

FAQs One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta

Final Thoughts: This Pasta’s Here to Stay

One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta isn’t just a meal it’s a lifesaver on busy nights, a hit with picky eaters, and a hug in a bowl when you need it most. It’s fast, flavorful, and flexible enough to fit your life—whether you’re counting carbs, feeding a crowd, or just craving something real and rich.

Add it to your weekly rotation next to Simple Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps or your favorite Cajun Steak Penne and you’ve got dinner covered deliciously.

One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta – Bold, Creamy Comfort in Minutes

• Author: Stuffani Borjat
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: One-Pot
• Cuisine: Cajun American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Creamy, spicy, and packed with bold Cajun flavor, this One Pot Beef and Cheddar Pasta is a weeknight win. Comfort food in 30 minutes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• • 1lb ground beef

• • 1 medium onion, chopped

• • 1 bell pepper, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning

• • 1 tsp smoked paprika

• • 1 tsp salt

• • 1/2 tsp black pepper

• • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

• • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened

• • 1 cup beef broth

• • 1 cup heavy cream

• • 8 oz elbow macaroni

• • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

• • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

---

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. After 6–7 minutes, when it’s browned and fully cooked, drain off the excess fat.

2. Add the Veggies
Toss in the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step builds your flavor foundation.

3. Season the Base
Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the mixture.

4. Build the Sauce
Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream cheese, beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.

5. Cook the Pasta
Add uncooked macaroni and bring to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

6. Melt the Cheese
Stir in the cheddar cheese and let it fully melt into the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped parsley and serve hot. It’s creamy, spicy, and ridiculously comforting—just like your favorite Comforting Cheesy Taco Potatoes but with more protein punch.

---

Notes

Can be made ahead and reheated.

Swap beef for ground turkey to lighten it up.

Use gluten-free pasta for a low-carb version.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 630
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 820mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: one pot pasta, cajun beef pasta, cheesy pasta, comfort food