Easy Crockpot Dinner (Cheesy Beef & Bowtie Pasta)

Ingredients:

• 1 large block Velveeta, cubed
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies (do not drain)
• 2.25 pounds ground beef
• 1 box bowtie (farfalle) noodles

Instructions:

1. Set the crockpot to HIGH.
2. While the crockpot is heating, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
3. Add the cooked ground beef to the crockpot along with the Velveeta, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and Rotel tomatoes.
4. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until everything is melted and well combined.
5. Meanwhile, boil the bowtie noodles according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
6. Just before serving, stir the cooked noodles into the crockpot. Add pasta water a little at a time to thin the sauce if needed, until desired consistency is reached.
7. Mix well and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For a little extra spice, use Hot Rotel or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Ground turkey or sausage can be substituted for ground beef.
• Stir in cooked peas or broccoli for added color and veggies.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed.