Description
This rich and creamy penne dish combines the bold, spicy flavor of Cajun beef bites with a velvety smooth Velveeta Four-Cheese sauce. It’s a comforting, flavorful, and simple-to-make meal that feels like a treat any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound beef sirloin or steak tips, cut into bites
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 cups Velveeta Four-Cheese blend, cubed
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss beef with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear beef for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Velveeta Four-Cheese blend until smooth and fully melted.
4. Add drained penne and a splash of reserved pasta water to the cheese sauce. Stir to coat evenly. Fold in the Cajun beef bites and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra cheese if desired.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in a little cream cheese or shredded cheddar with the Velveeta.
Always reserve some pasta water—it helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling better to the pasta.
For a smoky twist, add a dash of smoked paprika to the beef seasoning mix.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, cheesy beef penne, Velveeta recipe