Irresistible Cheesy Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty velveeta beef bowtie pasta casserole that brings together rich flavors and creamy textures.

Tender bowtie pasta mingles with seasoned ground beef in a luscious cheese sauce that melts perfectly throughout the dish.

The blend of melted cheese and savory meat creates an irresistible combination that speaks to classic home cooking.

Packed with robust flavor and simple ingredients, this casserole promises a satisfying meal that comes together with minimal effort.

Each forkful delivers a delightful mix of pasta, beef, and cheesy goodness that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this ultimate comfort food classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Casserole

• Bowtie Pasta: Captures delightful sauce in its cute bow-shaped design, ideal for hearty meals with maximum flavor retention.

• Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Creates a robust, savory foundation with rich meaty depth and aromatic sweetness, choose lean beef for healthier option.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base with heart-healthy Mediterranean touch.
• Diced Tomatoes, Rotel: Adds zesty brightness and subtle heat, selecting fire-roasted varieties boosts complex flavor profile.
• Milk: Creates silky cheese sauce texture, whole milk recommended for richer consistency.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Builds layered taste complexity, use fresh ground spices for maximum flavor intensity.

• Velveeta, Cheddar Cheese: Delivers creamy, tangy melting quality, selecting high-quality cheese ensures luxurious final texture.

• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright color and fresh herbal finish, chop finely for elegant presentation.

Casserole Tools to Keep Dinner Simple

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning beef and creating that delicious sauce.
• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring beef and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly shredded cheddar topping.

How to Bake This Cheesy Pasta and Beef Mix

• Fire Up the Oven: Get your oven warming to a cozy 350F and grab a 9×13 baking dish for our cheesy adventure.
• Pasta Party: Boil a big pot of water and cook those bowtie pasta until they're perfectly tender. Drain and set aside.
• Beef Breakdown: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with chopped onions until they're looking delicious. Toss in garlic and let those flavors dance together.
• Sauce It Up: Pour in diced tomatoes and Rotel. Sprinkle in your favorite Italian seasonings to make the mixture sing with flavor. Let it simmer and get acquainted.
• Cheese Magic: Lower the heat and melt those Velveeta cubes into the beef mixture. Splash in some milk and stir until you've got a creamy, dreamy sauce.
• Mix and Match: Fold the cooked pasta into the cheesy beef mixture, making sure every noodle gets some love.
• Cheesy Topping: Transfer everything to your baking dish and crown it with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
• Bake and Enjoy: Slide the dish into the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving up this comfort food masterpiece.

Add-Ins to Personalize the Flavor

• Use room temperature Velveeta for smoother, faster melting and a more uniform cheese sauce.
• Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
• Replace bowtie pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate version that's equally delicious.
• Swap Rotel for mild diced tomatoes if you prefer less heat, or add extra red pepper flakes for those who love a spicy kick.
• Experiment with ground turkey or lean ground chicken as healthier protein substitutes that work perfectly in this comforting casserole.

Serve This Casserole for Comfort-Food Nights

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this hearty casserole as a comforting main dish for a relaxed family meal, perfect for gathering everyone around the table.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this cheesy pasta to neighborhood gatherings or potlucks where crowd-pleasing dishes are always welcome and sure to get rave reviews.
• Game Day Touchdown Treat: Offer this filling casserole as a satisfying option during sports watch parties, providing delicious fuel for hungry fans cheering on their favorite team.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green color contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta.

Reheat Tips to Keep It Melty and Creamy

• Let the casserole cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating, which prevents condensation and maintains texture quality.
• Transfer leftovers into airtight containers, separating portions for easy grab-and-go meals during busy weekdays.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or aluminum foil, storing for up to 3 months without compromising taste or consistency.
• Sprinkle additional cheese when warming in the oven at 350F, restoring moisture and preventing dry edges during the second serving.

Cheesy Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 14 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty comfort meets pasta perfection in this Velveeta Beef Bowtie Pasta Casserole, blending cheesy richness with savory ground beef. Warm, satisfying layers promise a delightful family dinner you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray.
2. Pasta Foundation: Boil salted water and cook bowtie pasta until tender, then drain thoroughly.
3. Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are translucent. Incorporate garlic and sauté briefly to release its aromatic essence.
4. Flavor Infusion: Introduce diced tomatoes, Rotel, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika. Allow mixture to simmer and develop rich, complex flavors.
5. Cheese Transformation: Reduce heat and melt Velveeta with milk, creating a luxurious, smooth cheese sauce that coats the skillet’s contents.
6. Pasta Integration: Fold cooked pasta into the beef and cheese mixture, ensuring every piece is generously embraced by the sauce.
7. Casserole Assembly: Transfer the complete mixture into the prepared baking dish and crown with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Final Baking: Slide into the preheated oven and bake until cheese melts completely and edges become gloriously golden and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.
9. Serving Finale: Allow casserole to rest briefly, then serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.

Notes

• Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfect bite and preventing soggy casserole.
• Thoroughly drain ground beef after cooking to reduce greasiness and prevent a watery dish, maintaining the casserole’s rich consistency.
• Low heat is crucial when adding Velveeta to prevent cheese from burning or separating, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
• Adjust seasonings or swap Rotel for mild tomatoes if you prefer less heat, making the dish adaptable to different taste preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg