Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Recipe: Family Favorite

Velveeta beef and bowtie pasta sparks comfort in every single bite.

My kitchen always comes alive with delicious aromas when this dish simmers.

Cheese lovers find pure magic in this simple yet satisfying meal.

Weeknight dinners demand something quick and hearty that everyone will enjoy.

Rich, melted cheese coats tender pasta and savory ground beef perfectly.

Bold flavors blend seamlessly into one incredible skillet experience.

You can create this restaurant-worthy recipe with just a few pantry staples.

Grab your skillet and prepare for a dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Is A Comfort Classic

• Quick Comfort Feast: Dive into a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort.
• Family-Pleasing Delight: This crowd-pleasing recipe guarantees smiles around the dinner table, appealing to both kids and adults with its rich, comforting flavors.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup and maximize convenience by preparing this entire meal in a single skillet, making weeknight cooking a breeze.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for casual dinners, potlucks, or when you need a hearty meal that comes together quickly without complicated techniques.

Everything That Goes In Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

• Bowtie Pasta: A playful pasta shape that holds creamy sauces exceptionally well.

• Ground Beef: Adds rich, hearty flavor and substantial protein to the dish.

• Velveeta Cheese: Provides a smooth, creamy texture and classic cheesy flavor.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Create a luxurious and velvety sauce base.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds depth and a subtle mushroom undertone to the sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Offers a sharp, tangy cheese flavor when sprinkled on top.

• Onions, Garlic: Provide a fragrant and flavorful foundation for the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté aromatics.
• Dried Parsley: Adds a subtle herb note and decorative green touch.

Easy Directions For Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Crank the heat to high and bring water to a vigorous boil. Gently add bowtie pasta and cook until tender yet firm, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside.

Step 2: Brown Delicious Beef

Place a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Toss ground beef into the pan, breaking it into tiny crumbles. Season with salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains. Transfer beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until vegetables become fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Cream of mushroom soup

Stir continuously to develop a silky smooth sauce.

Step 5: Melt Cheese Goodness

Cube Velveeta cheese and gradually add to the sauce. Stir until cheese melts completely and blends seamlessly into the sauce.

Step 6: Combine Beef and Sauce

Return cooked ground beef to the skillet. Mix thoroughly, ensuring beef is evenly distributed throughout the creamy sauce.

Step 7: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold cooked bowtie pasta into the cheesy mixture. Ensure each pasta piece gets a luxurious coating of sauce.

Step 8: Final Flavor Boost

• Dried parsley
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Allow residual heat to slightly melt the cheddar.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and intensify. Serve piping hot and enjoy!

Helpful Tips For Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

• Boost Pasta Texture: Ensure al dente pasta by testing a piece 1-2 minutes before package instructions suggest, maintaining a slight firmness for perfect bite.
• Prevent Cheese Clumping: Cube Velveeta into small, uniform pieces and add gradually while stirring continuously to create a smooth, lump-free sauce.
• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Use paper towels to absorb excess fat from ground beef, preventing a greasy final dish and maintaining a cleaner flavor profile.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by adding small amounts of milk if too thick, or simmering briefly if too thin, achieving desired creamy texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to elevate the overall taste complexity of the dish.

Twists You Can Try With Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

• Lean Protein Powerhouse: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, protein-rich alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Comfort: Swap bowtie pasta with cauliflower rice or roasted cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Cheesy Delight: Substitute ground meat with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meatless rendition.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free certified for celiac-safe meal.

What Goes Well With Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the creamy pasta, providing a refreshing contrast and balancing the heavy cheese and beef flavors.
• Create Zesty Side Salad: Toss a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette to introduce bright, tangy notes that cleanse the palate between bites of the hearty pasta dish.
• Match with Robust Red Beer: Select an amber ale or wheat beer to complement the meaty, cheesy elements, its malty undertones enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Toasted garlic bread adds a crunchy texture and garlicky punch that perfectly supports the creamy pasta's soft, rich profile.

How To Store Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Without Drying Out

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the container is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
• Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk to restore creaminess, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little milk or cream to prevent drying, stirring gently until heated through and sauce regains its creamy consistency.
• Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, leaving some space for expansion, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Top Questions On Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta

• Is this dish considered a comfort food?

Yes, this creamy beef and bowtie pasta is the ultimate comfort meal with its rich, cheesy sauce and hearty ground beef that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While bowtie pasta works great, you can substitute with penne, rotini, or shells to match your preference without changing the recipe’s core flavor.

• What makes the sauce so creamy?

The combination of milk, heavy cream, cream of mushroom soup, and melted Velveeta cheese creates an incredibly smooth and luxurious sauce that coats every pasta bite perfectly.

• How can I make this dish slightly healthier?

Consider using lean ground beef, low-fat milk, and reduced-fat cheeses to cut down on calories while maintaining the delicious flavor profile of this comforting pasta dish.

Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort classics reach new heights with creamy velveeta beef & bowtie pasta, a hearty dish blending rich cheese and tender beef. Pasta lovers will savor each cheesy, satisfying bite of this quick and delicious midweek meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

• 8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• 1 box Velveeta cheese

Meat

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce and Additional Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for the bowtie pasta.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. In a spacious skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Once beef is fully cooked and no pink remains, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in milk, heavy cream, and cream of mushroom soup, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.
7. Cube Velveeta cheese and gradually add to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
8. Incorporate cooked ground beef back into the creamy sauce, mixing thoroughly.
9. Gently fold in cooked bowtie pasta, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the cheesy sauce.
10. Sprinkle dried parsley and shredded cheddar cheese over the top, allowing residual heat to slightly melt the cheddar.
11. Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving hot.

Notes

• Use low-fat ground beef or ground turkey for a leaner protein option that doesn’t compromise flavor.
• Consider whole wheat bowtie pasta to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the dish.
• Experiment with added vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to increase nutrient density and create a more balanced meal.
• For gluten-sensitive individuals, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free bowtie pasta and use cornstarch instead of traditional wheat flour for thickening the sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 503
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 849 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 101 mg