Creamy Velveeta Beef & Bowtie Pasta Bake

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente—tender but still slightly firm to the bite. This usually takes 10–12 minutes.
2. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Do not rinse, as the residual starch helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

3. In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks. This should take about 7–8 minutes.
4. Once browned, drain any excess fat carefully from the pan. Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste and set aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

5. In a large saucepan or deep skillet, add the cubed Velveeta, softened cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup. Set the heat to low and stir continuously to prevent scorching.
6. Cook, stirring often, until all the cheeses have melted into a smooth, unified sauce. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually stir in up to ½ cup of milk until the desired creamy consistency is reached.

Step 4: Combine and Finish