Zesty Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Recipe Everyone Will Love

Comfort food reaches new heights with this creamy velveeta beef bowtie pasta that promises pure deliciousness.

Weeknight dinners just became more exciting with a dish packed with cheesy goodness.

Rich ground beef melts perfectly into tender pasta shapes for a meal everyone will adore.

The combination of melted cheese and savory meat creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each forkful delivers a hearty blend of textures and robust seasonings that transform a simple pasta into something extraordinary.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation make this recipe a go-to solution for hungry families seeking a satisfying meal.

Prepare to savor every single bite of this irresistible pasta masterpiece.

Tools You’ll Need For Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Large pot: For boiling pasta with salted water.
• Large skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and mixing final dish.
• Saucepan: Needed to create creamy cheese sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending roux and creating smooth sauce.
• Colander: Used to drain cooked pasta.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring beef and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help measure ingredients accurately.

Steps To Make Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Boil Pasta

Get a big pot of water bubbling with salt. Toss in bowtie pasta and cook until soft but still firm. Drain and set aside.

• Brown Beef

Sizzle ground beef and chopped onions in a skillet until meat looks golden and onions turn translucent. Dump out extra grease. Sprinkle in garlic, seasonings, and diced tomatoes. Let flavors dance together for a few minutes.

• Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a separate pan. Whisk in flour to make a silky base. Pour milk slowly while stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Drop in cheese chunks and keep stirring until everything melts into a smooth, dreamy sauce.

• Combine and Heat

Pour cheese sauce over beef and pasta. Mix everything until each piece gets a delicious coating of cheesy goodness. Warm through completely.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scoop into bowls while steaming hot. Top with fresh herbs or extra cheese if you want. Pair with crispy bread or a fresh salad for a killer dinner that’ll make everyone happy.

Tasty Tips For Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Cook ground beef in batches and freeze portions for future recipes, saving precious time during busy weeknights.
• Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Grate Velveeta instead of cubing for faster melting and more uniform sauce texture, preventing lumpy consistency.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein options that maintain delicious flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Use gluten-free bowtie pasta and replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in the cheese sauce to make the entire dish celiac-friendly.
• Spice Level Adventure: Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of cayenne to introduce extra heat and create a zesty version of the classic recipe for spice enthusiasts.

Fun Ways To Serve Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Hearty Dinner Companion: Pair this cheesy beef pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture.
• Bread Lover's Dream: Serve alongside warm, buttery garlic bread or crusty French bread to soak up extra cheese sauce and add delightful crunch.
• Family-Style Feast: Create a buffet-style setup with optional toppings like chopped green onions, extra shredded cheese, or diced jalapeños for personalized touch and interactive dining experience.
• Protein Power-Up: Complement the dish with a simple side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans to increase nutritional value and add fresh, vibrant colors to the plate.

How To Store Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Transfer leftovers into airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm portions in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy texture and prevent sauce from becoming dry or clumpy.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Package meal in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare beef and cheese sauce separately, storing them in separate containers. Keep pasta uncooked until ready to assemble. This method helps maintain optimal texture and prevents soggy noodles when reassembling the dish later.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes In Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta

• Bowtie Pasta: Delightful pasta shape that catches creamy sauce perfectly, choose high-quality Italian pasta for best texture.

• Ground Beef: Protein-packed foundation of the dish, select lean beef for healthier option and better flavor absorption.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness, opt for fresh yellow onions for robust flavor.
• Garlic: Flavor powerhouse that elevates the entire dish, choose fresh cloves for maximum pungency.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer, use kosher or sea salt for balanced taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm spiciness, freshly ground provides most vibrant flavor.
• Paprika: Brings subtle smokiness and beautiful color, choose sweet or smoked variety.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that introduces Mediterranean complexity, select high-quality dried mix.

• Velveeta Cheese: Creamy melting cheese that creates smooth texture, select original block for best consistency.
• Butter: Provides rich base for roux, use unsalted for better control of dish's saltiness.
• Flour: Thickening agent for sauce, all-purpose works perfectly.
• Milk: Creates silky sauce foundation, whole milk recommended for richness.
• Cheddar Cheese: Optional cheese that adds sharp flavor complexity, shredded works best.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic flavor, ensures even seasoning distribution.

• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds zesty kick and moisture, choose original blend.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds color.

Cheesy Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Velveeta beef bowtie pasta brings creamy comfort to weeknight dinners. Hearty cheese sauce and tender pasta create a satisfying meal perfect for families craving simple, delicious cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (1 pound) ground beef (80/20 or lean)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)
• 8 oz (8 ounces) Velveeta cheese (cubed)
• 12 oz (12 ounces) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies (drained, optional for spice)
• ½ cup onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook bowtie pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside while maintaining warmth.
2. Meat Foundation: Sauté ground beef with onions in a skillet, breaking meat into fine crumbles until thoroughly cooked and onions become translucent, carefully draining excess fat.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, selected seasonings, and Rotel to the meat mixture, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a rich, aromatic profile for several minutes.
4. Cheese Sauce Creation: Develop a smooth roux by whisking melted butter and flour, gradually incorporating milk and stirring consistently to prevent lumping and achieve a silky base.
5. Cheese Integration: Gently fold Velveeta cubes and shredded cheddar into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and forming a luxurious, creamy consistency.
6. Final Composition: Combine seasoned beef, perfectly cooked pasta, and velvety cheese sauce in the skillet, ensuring comprehensive coating and thorough heating to marry all flavors.
7. Serving Presentation: Transfer to serving dishes, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or an additional cheese sprinkle to elevate visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Manage Pasta Texture: Cook bowtie pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect bite that holds sauce beautifully.
• Drain Beef Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to avoid a greasy, heavy dish and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
• Prevent Cheese Sauce Clumping: Melt cheese slowly over low heat, stirring constantly to create a smooth, velvety sauce without unwanted lumps or separation.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles, use gluten-free pasta, and choose lactose-free cheese alternatives to adapt the recipe for different dietary restrictions.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg