Description

Velveeta Ground Beef Penne is a rich, creamy pasta recipe made with seasoned ground beef, tender penne, Velveeta cheese, marinara sauce, heavy cream, and melted mozzarella, creating a smooth, cheesy, and satisfying comfort dish.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

12 oz penne pasta

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

1 cup heavy cream

6 oz Velveeta, cubed

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tbsp chopped parsley

additional shredded mozzarella or Parmesan for topping, optional

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Instructions

Cook penne in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and brown the ground beef until deeply browned with slightly crispy edges. Drain excess grease if needed.

Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Add diced onion and cook 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

Stir in marinara sauce and heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

Add Velveeta and cream cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.

Add Italian seasoning and smoked paprika and cook until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.

Stir in mozzarella until melted and stretchy.

Add sliced red bell pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes until slightly tender but still vibrant.

Fold in the cooked penne and toss until heavily coated in the thick tomato cheese sauce.

Cook 2 more minutes until everything is hot and creamy. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with additional cheese on the side if desired.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American