The Creamiest Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Recipe Ever Made
Pasta nights just got a delicious upgrade with this creamy Velveeta beef & bowtie pasta that combines rich, cheesy flavors with hearty protein.
Tender bowtie pasta swirls around perfectly seasoned ground beef in a luxurious cheese sauce.
Each bite delivers a comforting blend of textures and warmth that screams home-cooked goodness.
The melted Velveeta creates a silky smooth coating that clings to every pasta curve and beef morsel.
Quick to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters, this dish transforms a simple weeknight meal into something special.
Families and friends will gather around the table, eager to dive into this irresistible comfort food that promises pure culinary joy.
Serve it hot and watch everyone’s faces light up with the first delectable forkful.
Why Creamy Velveeta Beef Pasta Satisfies
Everything for Creamy Beef Bowtie Pasta Bowls
Main Ingredients:Dairy and Creamy Components:Flavor Enhancers:Steps for Preparing Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta
Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfection
Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.
Toss in bowtie noodles and cook them until they’re perfectly tender. Before draining, scoop out a cup of pasta water.
Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Step 2: Brown Beefy Goodness
Heat up a large skillet over medium flame.
Dump in the ground beef and break it down into small crumbly pieces while cooking. Keep stirring until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown and is completely cooked through.
If there’s extra grease, go ahead and drain it off.
Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce
With the beef still in the skillet, start building your magical sauce.
Toss in:Stir everything together over medium heat. Watch the cheeses melt and blend into a smooth, dreamy sauce.
Step 4: Marry Pasta and Sauce
Once the sauce looks perfectly creamy, introduce the cooked bowtie noodles to the skillet. Gently toss everything together so each noodle gets a gorgeous cheese coating.
If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water until you hit the perfect consistency.
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Dish out this decadent creation while it’s hot.
Prepare for a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance with joy!
Notes for Rich and Cheesy Pasta Fans
Swaps for Creamy Velveeta Pasta Dinners
Pairings for Bowtie Pasta and Beef Plates
Storing Cheesy Pasta for Next Time
FAQs
Velveeta is key for creating the ultra-creamy texture and rich flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with processed cheese or a mix of cheddar and cream cheese.
Bowtie pasta works best for trapping the creamy sauce, but you can substitute with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini that hold sauce well.
Use mild Rotel tomatoes or replace them with regular diced tomatoes to reduce heat. If you want no spice at all, use plain canned diced tomatoes.
Yes, most kids love this cheesy pasta dish. The creamy sauce and ground beef make it appealing to children who enjoy comfort food.
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Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Velveeta beef & bowtie pasta brings cheesy comfort to your dinner table with a rich, hearty blend of flavors. Melted cheese and tender beef create a satisfying meal that promises to delight you with its creamy, savory goodness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2.25 pounds ground beef
- 1 box bowtie noodles (farfalle)
- 1 big block of Velveeta cheese, cubed (16 ounces/453 grams)
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) block of cream cheese, softened
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies, undrained
- (Optional) 1 cup pasta water, reserved to thin the sauce
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil at high heat. Submerge bowtie pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender yet firm, stirring occasionally.
- Drain pasta, reserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid, and set noodles aside for later use.
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Crumble ground beef into the pan, cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-9 minutes.
- Eliminate excess grease from the skillet if needed, keeping the meat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and introduce cubed Velveeta, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and undrained Rotel tomatoes directly into the skillet with browned beef.
- Stir ingredients continuously, allowing cheeses to melt and create a smooth, velvety sauce. This process typically takes 4-5 minutes.
- Gently fold cooked bowtie pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring each noodle is generously coated with the rich sauce.
- If sauce appears too dense, gradually incorporate reserved pasta water until reaching desired consistency and creaminess.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while hot, ready to be enjoyed straight from the skillet.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder to boost the flavor profile and give the dish a subtle kick without overwhelming the creamy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bowtie pasta and check that cream of chicken soup is gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting meal.
- Enhance nutritional value by stirring in some frozen mixed vegetables like peas or diced carrots during the final combining stage, creating a more balanced one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 724
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Jess Martinez
Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.
Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.