Description
A quick and comforting pasta dish featuring bowtie pasta, creamy Velveeta cheese, and a rich marinara sauce simmered with seasoned Italian ground beef. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the cubed Velveeta cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the drained bowtie pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg