Description
A delicious and comforting meal that combines bowtie pasta, ground beef, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the Velveeta cheese and Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Stir in the Italian herb blend and smoked paprika.
- Add the cooked pasta and browned ground beef to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine and coat evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped chives.
Notes
Pair with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, beef, cheese, easy dinner, family recipe