Description
This indulgent creamy Velveeta bowtie pasta with Italian beef marinara is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender bowtie pasta tossed in a rich marinara sauce combined with seasoned ground beef and gooey melted Velveeta cheese. Finished with a sprinkle of mozzarella, this 40-minute recipe serves six and is perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz Bowtie Pasta (or substitute with penne or rotini)
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb Ground Beef (can be replaced with ground turkey)
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (can substitute with fresh minced garlic)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder (can substitute with fresh onion, sautéed)
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning (can replace with fresh herbs)
Cheese and Fats
- 16 oz Velveeta Cheese (cubed)
- 2 tbsp Butter (can substitute with olive oil)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (optional, can use preferred cheese)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning into the skillet with the beef. Stir well and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce over the seasoned beef. Stir to combine and simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to develop.
- Melt the Cheese: Lower the heat to low. Add the cubed Velveeta cheese and butter to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese and butter fully melt and create a creamy sauce, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained bowtie pasta into the skillet with the creamy beef marinara sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes until the mozzarella melts and becomes bubbly. Serve warm.
Notes
- You may substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- If unavailable, penne or rotini pasta can be used instead of bowtie pasta.
- Fresh garlic and onions can replace garlic and onion powder for a more robust flavor.
- Italian seasoning can be substituted with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free variation.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning the beef.
