Description
A hearty and creamy pasta dish featuring bowtie noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a smooth cheese sauce that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz bowtie noodles (farfalle)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced, about 1 cup
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2.25 lb lean ground beef, preferably 90% lean
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 32 oz Velveeta cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
- 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta water. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add kosher salt to season the water, reserving at least 1 teaspoon for the beef mixture.
- Cook the farfalle. Add the bowtie noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 10 to 12 minutes. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain the noodles in a colander.
- Sauté the aromatics. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Brown the beef. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until no pink remains and a temperature of 160°F is reached.
- Season the mixture. Stir in the remaining kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1 minute to allow flavors to meld.
- Build the sauce. Add the condensed soup and undrained Rotel. Stir until combined, then add the Velveeta and softened cream cheese.
- Melt gently. Cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine the pasta and sauce. Fold in the drained farfalle and stir to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Finish and serve. Cook for 2 more minutes over low heat, then let the pasta stand for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
This dish can be made in advance and reheated. Pair with a crisp salad or vegetable sides for balance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 900
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 53g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 52g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: pasta, beef, creamy, family-friendly, easy dinner