Zesty Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this cheesy velveeta beef bowtie pasta casserole that delivers hearty warmth in every single bite.

Savory ground beef mingles perfectly with tender pasta shells, creating a delightful melody of flavors.

Creamy velveeta melts into a luscious sauce that coats each bowtie with irresistible cheesy goodness.

Weeknight dinners never looked so satisfying and simple.

No complicated techniques or fancy ingredients stand between you and this crowd-pleasing meal.

This casserole promises to become a family favorite that disappears faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Dig into a dish that transforms everyday ingredients into something truly memorable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 495 kcal

Servings: 7

Velveeta Beef Bowtie Casserole Ingredients

• Bowtie Pasta: Provides perfect pasta texture with delightful bow-shaped design that catches sauce beautifully.
• Ground Beef: Adds rich protein and hearty flavor to the casserole, best when choosing lean cuts.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking base and enhances overall cooking process with subtle flavor.

• Onion: Builds deep savory foundation with natural sweetness when caramelized.
• Garlic: Introduces aromatic punch and intense depth to the entire dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers complex herbal notes with balanced Mediterranean-inspired blend.
• Salt: Amplifies and balances all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and sharp undertone to the entire mixture.
• Paprika: Introduces warm, slightly smoky dimension with beautiful reddish color.

• Velveeta Cheese: Creates ultra-smooth, silky cheese sauce with guaranteed melting performance.
• Milk: Helps create luxurious, velvety cheese sauce with perfect consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy finishing layer with beautiful golden-brown topping.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces bright acidity and moisture to balance rich cheese elements.
• Rotel: Adds zesty southwestern kick with diced tomatoes and green chilies.

Kitchen Tools To Prep Velveeta Casserole

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and creating the flavorful sauce.
• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling pasta until it reaches that ideal al dente texture.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Provides the perfect space for your cheesy casserole masterpiece.
• Cutting Board: Great for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Crucial for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements for perfect flavor.

How To Make Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Bake

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil.

• Brown the Meat

Toss ground beef into a sizzling skillet with chopped onions. Cook until the meat turns golden and onions soften. Splash in some minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Create Flavor Magic

Dump in diced tomatoes, add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer and mingle together.

• Melt the Cheese Dreams

Lower the heat and transform your skillet into cheesy wonderland. Drop in Velveeta cubes and splash of milk. Stir until you’ve got a silky smooth sauce that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Mix and Match

Fold your cooked bowtie pasta into the meaty, cheesy mixture. Make sure every single pasta piece gets coated in deliciousness.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the entire concoction into your prepped baking dish. Shower the top with shredded cheddar cheese for extra gooey goodness.

• Serve and Enjoy

Pop it in the oven for 20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes, then dig in and savor every bite.

Tips & Add-Ins For Extra Creamy Results

• Quick Cheese Melting Trick: Cube Velveeta into small, uniform pieces for faster and smoother melting, preventing clumpy cheese sauce.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover with foil, and refrigerate. Bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties like chickpea or rice pasta to accommodate wheat-sensitive diners.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes, or replace with plain diced tomatoes for a kid-friendly version. Add optional red pepper flakes for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that still delivers rich, cheesy flavor.

Serving Ideas For Velveeta Casserole

• Hearty Family Feast: Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that brings everyone together around the table.
• Quick Potluck Winner: Bring this cheesy pasta casserole to gatherings and watch it disappear in minutes – guests will beg for the recipe.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in individual bowls with crispy garlic bread on the side for a satisfying sports-watching meal that keeps fans happy and full.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner the next day, with the flavors becoming even more rich and delicious.

Store Velveeta Casserole The Right Way

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and divide into two baking dishes. Freeze one casserole for a future quick meal, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and sealed in a freezer-safe container.
• Refrigerator Life Span: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of milk to maintain creamy texture.
• Advance Prep Strategy: Assemble the entire casserole up to the baking stage one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake directly from the cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to the original baking time.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide the casserole into single-serving containers before storing. This method helps with quick grab-and-go lunches and prevents unnecessary reheating of the entire dish.

Cheesy Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Casserole

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy Velveeta beef bowtie pasta casserole blends hearty ingredients into a comforting family meal. Cheesy layers and savory beef create a satisfying dinner solution you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 8 oz (227 grams) Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 oz (340 grams) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 can (10 oz/283 grams) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
2. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook bowtie pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve for later incorporation.
3. Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté ground beef and onions in olive oil until beef browns and onions become translucent. Add garlic and cook briefly, then drain excess fat.
4. Flavor Development: Introduce diced tomatoes, Rotel, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Simmer the mixture to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Cheese Integration: Reduce skillet heat and blend Velveeta and milk, stirring until a creamy, uniform sauce emerges.
6. Combining Elements: Fold cooked pasta into the beef and cheese mixture, ensuring complete coating and flavor distribution.
7. Baking Sequence: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and crown with shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Final Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden and effervescent.
9. Serving Presentation: Allow casserole to rest briefly, optionally garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

• Pasta Precision: Cook bowtie pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfect texture in the final casserole.
• Grease Management: Thoroughly drain ground beef to avoid a greasy dish, using a paper towel-lined colander for best results.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add Velveeta gradually and stir constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps or burning.
• Flavor Customization: Experiment with different spice blends like taco seasoning or add diced bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 495
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg