Description
Craving something rich, spicy, and insanely creamy? This Creamy Cajun Beef Alfredo Velveeta Penne Pasta is your go-to comfort food. Loaded with bold Cajun flavors, tender ground beef, penne pasta, and a velvety cheese sauce made with Velveeta, this easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual weekend feast. Whether you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, cheesy pasta recipes, or a satisfying family meal, this one checks all the boxes—it’s one of those easy recipes you’ll come back to again and again.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add butter, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the pepper softens, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Stir in Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute to release the spices’ aroma.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Add Velveeta cubes and stir until fully melted and smooth.
6. Add the cooked penne pasta and stir to coat it evenly with the creamy beef sauce.
7. Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
8. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley if using, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta—it should be slightly underdone before baking to avoid mushiness.
Adjust Cajun seasoning based on your spice preference. Start small and build the heat.
For an extra golden cheesy top, broil the dish for the last 2 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, Cajun beef, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta bake, quick meals, Velveeta pasta, weeknight recipes