Description
A soul-satisfying blend of creamy, cheesy penne pasta and bold, spicy Cajun beef bites. This Penne with Creamy Velveeta Four-Cheese and Cajun Beef Bites dish delivers the ultimate comfort with a kick—perfect for cozy dinners or flavor-packed meal preps.
Ingredients
16 oz penne pasta
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 lb beef sirloin or ribeye, cubed
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, coat beef cubes with Cajun seasoning and olive oil. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear beef bites 2–3 minutes per side until charred and cooked through. Set aside and cover.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and Velveeta cubes. Stir until Velveeta melts.
5. Add cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan to the sauce. Stir gently until smooth. Season with garlic and onion powder.
6. Stir the drained pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Add a splash of cream if needed to loosen.
7. Plate the cheesy penne with Cajun beef on the side. Garnish with parsley and extra Cajun seasoning if desired.
Notes
Let the beef rest a few minutes after searing to retain juiciness.
Use freshly grated cheese when possible—it melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Add a splash of milk when reheating the pasta to revive the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Searing
- Cuisine: American Southern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, Cajun beef, cheesy dinner, comfort food, Velveeta pasta