Description
Comforting Cheesy Beef Pasta Delight brings hearty Italian-inspired flavors to your dinner table with rich, melted cheese and savory ground beef. Each forkful promises a satisfying blend of creamy textures and bold seasonings you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 oz (113 grams) Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1.5 cups (340 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (75 grams) onion, diced
- ½ cup (75 grams) bell pepper, diced
Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 8 oz (226 grams) pasta of choice (farfalle recommended)
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
- 1 (8 oz/226 grams) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef until no pink remains, then transfer to a separate plate while preserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onions and bell peppers in the reserved beef drippings, gently cooking until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture, allowing the aromatic essence to bloom for approximately 30 seconds without burning.
- Dust flour over the vegetable blend, stirring continuously to create a light roux that will help thicken the upcoming sauce.
- Pour beef broth gradually into the skillet, whisking to prevent lumps and allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate tomato sauce and traditional Italian herbs, complementing the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for robust flavor development.
- Submerge pasta completely in the liquid, ensuring even cooking coverage. Cover and allow to simmer, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
- Once pasta reaches al dente texture, reduce heat and introduce heavy cream, creating a luxurious base for the cheese sauce.
- Melt cheddar and Velveeta cheeses into the creamy mixture, stirring until a smooth, velvety consistency emerges.
- Reintroduce the cooked ground beef, gently folding into the cheesy pasta to distribute protein evenly and ensure complete temperature integration.
Notes
- Cooking this creamy pasta creates a one-pan wonder that minimizes kitchen cleanup and maximizes flavor.
- Choosing lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease while maintaining a rich, satisfying meat texture.
- Stirring occasionally during pasta cooking prevents sticking and ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
- Using both cheddar and Velveeta cheeses delivers a perfect balance of sharp and smooth cheese flavors.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after cooking to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld together.
- Fresh herbs like parsley can be sprinkled on top for an extra burst of color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg