Description
Craving a quick dinner that’s rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying? This Ultimate Creamy Velveeta Penne Pasta is a go-to comfort food recipe made with simple pantry ingredients. Featuring tender penne pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a luxuriously creamy Velveeta cheese sauce, it’s finished with melty mozzarella and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re short on dinner ideas, this easy recipe is both family-friendly and crowd-pleasing. If you’re looking for easy dinner recipes, creamy pasta ideas, or satisfying food ideas, this one’s a must-try.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. In a deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook until browned, then drain any excess fat.
4. Lower the heat and stir in cubed Velveeta and milk. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Add pasta water if needed.
5. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat all the noodles in the creamy cheese.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top. Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes on low heat until melted.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley if using. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
Cube the Velveeta before adding to the skillet to ensure faster, even melting.
Always reserve some pasta water—just a splash can save a thick or sticky sauce.
For best results, use whole milk and lean ground beef to balance creaminess with flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, Velveeta recipe, easy dinner, penne pasta, cheesy pasta