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Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta
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Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta is a comforting and rich dish featuring tender ground beef, smooth Velveeta cheese, and perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. This easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe offers a velvety cheese sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta, delivering satisfying flavor and minimal cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 12 oz bowtie pasta
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • Diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper for heat
  • Additional cheese like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for flavor variation

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling salted water to cook the bowtie pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for later if needed.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until soft and fragrant, which deepens the overall flavor.
  4. Make the Cheese Sauce: Stir in butter and gradually add Velveeta cheese cubes along with milk or cream, stirring gently until the mixture melts into a glossy, creamy sauce.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together so each piece is evenly coated with cheesy goodness, adjusting the consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
  6. Season and Serve: Finish with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Give it one final toss and serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if you like.

Notes

  • Use sharp Velveeta cubes: Cubed cheese melts more evenly to prevent clumping in the sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water: Adding a splash brings looseness and helps sauce cling better to the pasta.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta: Slightly firm pasta holds up better when mixed in the creamy sauce.
  • Brown beef thoroughly: Deep browning adds a rich umami boost to the dish.
  • Stir gently: Over-stirring can cause the sauce to separate, so fold delicately.

Nutrition

Keywords: Velveeta, ground beef, bowtie pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://mydishez.com/creamy-velveeta-beef-bowtie-pasta/