Description
This Indulgent Creamy Velveeta Penne Pasta is the epitome of comfort food, combining cheesy goodness with tender penne that hugs your taste buds. It’s an experience that can transform any ordinary evening into a feast, perfect for a quick dinner or an impressive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces Penne Pasta (or rigatoni, ziti, or gluten-free pasta)
- 1 pound Ground Beef (can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles)
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to taste)
- 16 ounces Velveeta Cheese, cubed
- 1 cup Whole Milk (or lower-fat milk)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (omit for lighter dish)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (for topping)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley or Basil (for garnish)
- Olive Oil (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Salt the water and add penne pasta. Cook for 10-11 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve ½ cup cooking water.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate and drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste darkens.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, then add milk, cream, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add cubed Velveeta cheese, stirring until melted.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked penne, two-thirds of browned beef, and cheese sauce. Gently fold to coat pasta.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, sprinkle remaining beef on top, and layer shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Preheat broiler to high. Broil baking dish for 2-4 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let sit, and garnish with parsley or basil. Serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Cube the Velveeta cheese before melting for a smoother sauce.
- Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce thickness.
- Keep an eye on the cheese while broiling to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg