Description
This Indulgent Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Garlic Cheese Sauce is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection and combined with penne pasta in a luscious, cheesy garlic cream sauce made from Velveeta and mozzarella cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe offers a decadent meal that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Penne Pasta (Can swap for fusilli or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (Keeps pasta from sticking)
Protein
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts (Substitute with turkey or firm tofu)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Can use olive oil for lighter option)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced) (Use fresh garlic for best flavor)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Can substitute with half-and-half or plant-based cream)
- 8 ounces Velveeta Cheese (cubed) (Creates a velvety creaminess)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Provolone or fontina can be used)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Fresh herbs can enhance flavor)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped) (Adds freshness and color)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and toss it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to burn it.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the cubed Velveeta and shredded mozzarella cheese until completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and add them along with the cooked penne into the cheesy sauce. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes to coat well and heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving to add freshness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy the indulgent flavor!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with turkey or firm tofu to accommodate dietary preferences.
- For a lighter version, swap butter with olive oil and heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Fresh herbs instead of Italian seasoning can enhance the depth of flavor.
- Use fusilli or rigatoni pasta as alternatives to penne if preferred.
- Ensure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture works best to hold the rich sauce.
