Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add ground beef seasoned with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until aromatic.

Add softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring until it melts. Gradually whisk in milk or half-and-half until smooth.

Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.

Return the sautéed ground beef to the skillet and add the drained bowtie pasta. Toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.

Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan, parsley, or red pepper flakes, if desired.