Description
This Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is the ultimate comfort food you can whip up in under 30 minutes. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness—perfect for a quick dinner idea that feels special without being complicated. Tender chicken meets bowtie pasta in a velvety garlic cheese sauce made with Velveeta and mozzarella. Whether you’re looking for easy recipes, quick weeknight dinners, or delicious food ideas for picky eaters, this dish has it all. It also works great for leftovers, meal prep, and cozy nights in.
Ingredients
1 pound bowtie pasta (farfalle)
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk or cream
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
2. If using raw chicken, cook in a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil until fully cooked. Shred or cube the meat and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Reduce heat slightly and add milk or cream. Stir in Velveeta cubes and stir until fully melted and smooth.
5. Add shredded mozzarella and continue stirring until sauce is creamy and well blended.
6. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
7. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for a smoother melt—pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy.
Don’t forget to reserve pasta water—it helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
This dish reheats beautifully; just add a splash of milk when warming it up to bring the creaminess back.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, velveeta recipes, chicken dinner, garlic mozzarella sauce, bowtie pasta, easy dinner, food ideas