Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup milk (plus a splash as needed)
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth (for cooking pasta)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the bowtie pasta in seasoned chicken broth instead of plain water for added flavor. Boil until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat, then add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until onions are soft and fragrant.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Lower heat and stir in the butter until melted. Gradually add diced Velveeta cheese and a splash of milk, stirring continuously until the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked bowtie pasta, browned beef mixture, and diced tomatoes into the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly and let simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to taste. Give a final stir and serve hot, garnished if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature Velveeta for quicker, even melting.
- Slightly undercook pasta as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
- Drain fat from cooked beef to avoid a greasy dish.
- Cook pasta in chicken broth to add depth to the flavor.
- Stir cheese sauce frequently to prevent clumping or burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Gluten, Not Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Velveeta pasta, cheesy beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, comfort food