Description
Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rotini Pasta with Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce is the ultimate quick comfort food. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this cheesy pasta is packed with tender golden-seared chicken, a rich garlic-forward cheese sauce made from Velveeta and mozzarella, and spiraled rotini noodles that soak up every bit of creamy goodness. It’s easy, indulgent, and loaded with flavor—ideal for anyone searching for quick dinner ideas, easy pasta recipes, or a hearty chicken dinner with bold, comforting taste.
Ingredients
2 cups rotini pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups milk or heavy cream
1 ½ cups Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon dried parsley or basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Season chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 6–8 minutes, until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to create a roux. Cook for 1 minute.
6. Gradually whisk in milk or cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes until it starts to thicken.
7. Stir in Velveeta cubes and melt completely, then add mozzarella and stir until smooth.
8. Add cooked rotini to the cheese sauce and gently mix to coat evenly.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss or layer on top.
10. Garnish with dried parsley or basil if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
Let the milk come to room temperature before adding it to avoid a clumpy sauce.
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for a creamier melt and smoother sauce texture.
Save a bit of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce when mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, velveeta recipe, cheesy rotini, garlic cheese sauce, comfort food, easy dinner idea