Velveeta Beef Stroganoff with Penne Pasta
Velveeta Beef Stroganoff with Penne Pasta is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish combining tender ground beef, al dente penne pasta, and a smooth Velveeta cheese sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights, delivering rich flavor and minimal cleanup.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Gluten, Contains Dairy
Proteins and Pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 12 oz penne pasta
Dairy
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Produce and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Liquids and Broth
Pantry Staples
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cook the Penne Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later. Set pasta aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the diced onions. Sauté until translucent and golden. Add the ground beef and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Build the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked beef and onions, stirring constantly to form a roux. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Velveeta Cheese and Sour Cream: Reduce heat to low and add the Velveeta cheese cubes, stirring until melted and smooth. Fold in the sour cream gently to create a tangy, luscious sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the creamy beef sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency. Stir thoroughly until every piece of pasta is coated in the cheesy sauce.
Notes
- Use quality Velveeta cheese for the best creamy and authentic flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm to withstand the sauce.
- Melt Velveeta on low heat to keep the sauce smooth and prevent separation.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness without diluting flavor.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for added brightness and a fresh contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Velveeta, Beef Stroganoff, Penne Pasta, Comfort Food, Quick Dinner, Creamy Beef Pasta, Family Meal