Velvetta Beefaroni
This quick and easy meal is perfect for a night when you just don’t have it in you to prepare a large meal. Now being in my last trimester of pregnancy, my energy level is even lower when it comes to cooking. I’m still working full time and that honestly takes a lot out of me. I just went grocery yesterday afternoon, after attending a prenatal class on base. Fortunately it was convenient, because the Commissary is right on the way out of base. I had already planned my visit there, because I knew the class would let out earlier than my usual workday. Thankfully, it only took me roughly an hour to shop, and that was with taking my sweet time and a bathroom break. The commissary has baggers who will pack your car, so I didn’t have to do too much heavy lifting…although my wallet did :-/
Anyhow, I made this meal last week and it was Hubs approved. I literally took what I had in the pantry and tried to be as creative as possible. My pantry always has its staples, like spaghetti sauce, pasta, soup, etc. So, I’m never too on the outs if I miss a week of grocery shopping…Thanks Mom! Plus, I did a lot of grocery earlier on, because well I love to shop, grocery shop, clothes shop, anything shop, but mostly I love food!
I knew I wanted to make Beefaroni, but didn’t feel like going to the grocery store to get cheese. The only kind of cheese I had in the fridge was mozzarella from when I made Beef & Cheese Shells. I did have some American sandwich slice cheese in the fridge (which I had totally forgotten about!), but I wouldn’t have used it anyways. What I did have was some nifty Velvetta (the block kind) in the pantry. I had everything else on hand too, so no trip to the grocery for this preggo.
Here’s what I used:
1 lb of ground beef
1 can of tomato paste
1/4 of jar of tomato sauce
1/4 of Velvetta Cheese block. – The block is 36 oz, so about 9 oz or so should do it. You can use less or more depending on your taste preference.
2 cups of elbow pasta
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Here’s how I did it:
Browned my ground beef, added my tomato paste and spaghetti sauce, seasonings, and simmered covered. Meanwhile, I had my pasta boiling in olive oil salted water. Once my meat sauce combination was nice and combined and simmered, I added in my Velvetta and covered. – Make sure you cover your skillet or pan, because the Velvetta will boil upon melting and pop. Let simmer until the Velvetta is completely melted in the meat and the mixture is milky orange/red color. Once your mixture looks like that Presto, your done and its ready to serve! I told you it was easy, didn’t I! I steamed up some frozen broccoli, seasoned with a bit of seasoning salt and indulged.
Are there items you always keep on hand in your pantry? What are your staples for whipping up a quick & easy meal? – I’m always looking for new ideas!
Happy bumping!
xxoo,
That looks sooo good. I can never make it through the grocery store without using the bathroom either and I’m only 2nd trimester! Good luck with the rest of the your pregnancy!
Thanks so much! Lol, yep and it only gets worst! Its well worth it though.
Looks yummy! Pinned from the Pincentive Hop
PaulaMS recently posted…SSGF’s Get To Know You Survey – Fast and Easy
Thanks so much!
1/4 of what size of velvetta block??? This sounds delicious!!
Thanks so much! I made a revision, thanks for pointing that out. Its the 36 oz block of Velvetta. I totally forgot Velvetta blocks came in different sizes, since I always buy the big (36 oz) one.
Thanks, Tenns
This looks so simple! Thanks for linking with us for WDW!!
Michelle @ Our Three Peas recently posted…Wine’d Down Wednesday {3}
Looks easy to do! I love pasta!!
Btw, i LOVE your blog design! =D
viviene recently posted…Our Christmas Tree is Up!
Thanks so much! It really is an easy recipe!
I bet you do get tired. Pregnancy seems to take lots of energy. Sounds like you came up with a good dinner. I kind of keep some favorite standby items.
Thanks for linking up with us at The Four Seasons Blog Hop!
Betty Taylor recently posted…Four Seasons Blog Hop Party #19
Yes it does, but I try my best! Always happy to link up!
Sometimes using up what you already have at home makes for wonderfully creative meals. Thank you for sharing this. I am pinning your post!
Maria
Maria recently posted…THE MOST MOIST Pumpkin Bread
I don’t care what any one says there is something about Velveeta cheese that is so goooodddd!!
It’s in my pantry right now waiting for some grits. Thank you for sharing it on our Four Seasons Blog Hop.
You are so right! Oohh…Velvetta with grits sounds delicious! I’ve never made them with Velvetta, I’ll have to give that a try.
Curse whoever invented velveeta b/c it makes everything delicious! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #31.
~Amber @ DessertNowDinnerLater.com
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Muddy Buddies
I know right! It’s good stuff! Your welcome, look forward to linking up again as always.
This looks sooo good. Thank you for linking this up to Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party! I love Beefaroni – I have since I was a kid. I never paired it with Velveeta. So nice for fall nights.
Tamara recently posted…You Can Be A Hot Mess In The Game Of Life!
Your absolutely welcome! I look forward to linking up again! I have always loved Beefaroni too. I used to love it when they served it in school for lunch, lol! This recipe is kinda like my homage to that.
Looks delish!
I think this looks delicious! I love using Velveeta in recipes. Thanks for linking up to #LOBS!
Angela recently posted…Ladies Only Blog Share: Fall is in the air!
Thanks so much!
I have been in such a mood for pasta. This looks really good. Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday.
xoxo
Denyse
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint recently posted…Fall Round-up #4
Thanks so much! I look forward to linking up again in the future!
That looks so yummy! I love Velveta, but I can’t keep it in the house because my Mister likes to eat it plain & I never have any left to cook with. Haha.
My staples to always have on hand are mostly carbs. Pasta, rice, beans & similar things. I make chicken fried rice quite a bit, since I buy 20lb bags of Jasmine rice when I am at Costco. The best part is, you can usually use whatever you have on hand. As long as you have rice, soy sauce, an egg & some sort of meat. You’re set!
Found you on the North East Bloggers linkup. Hope you stop by & say hello!
Krys @ The Mister & Me
Krystal Lynn recently posted…Fast Faves: Italian Sausage & Peppers
Lol, thanks! Velvetta is addictive I tell you! Fortunately my hubs isn’t a huge cheese lover, but he loved the Velvetta Beefaroni.
This looks like a very tasty recipe for something you came up with on the fly! I’m impressed! Thanks so much for sharing it at Saturday Night Fever. It’s nice to meet you
Andi @ The Weary Chef recently posted…Saturday Night Fever #1: A Recipe Link Party
Thanks so much! I look forward to linking up again in the future!
What a great recipe! This would definitely be something my family would enjoy and adding velveeta makes everything sooo good! Pinning to my cooking bucket list. Thank you for sharing on the Blog Hop Blitz!
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning recently posted…Blog Hop Blitz #4
Thanks so much! Look forward to linking up again in the future!
This is a recipe that sounds like a winner for the little ones. I love quick, easy, pantry staples type of meals!
Jamie | Jamie’s Recipes recently posted…Mr. White’s Blue Crystal Cupcakes
I couldn’t agree more! Little ones love cheese (for the most part), so this recipe will definitely win then over.
Oh man this looks good! I love Pasta!!
Come link up with me today!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Jennie recently posted…Meal Plan Monday
This is so easy, even a dad could do it. If I shovel enough beef, cheese and noodles at my three girls, they stay reasonably civil.
Coming straight from the Blog Blitz – this recipe is going in my “recipes to try” folder.
Eli@coachdaddy recently posted…It’s Fall, Y’all, but it’s Different for a Dude
Lol, you are so right! I’m not sure I’d trust my Dad to whip up this dish, but my husband (a soon to be dad) would knock it out of the park. I think anything with cheese makes kids happy! I’m an adult and it still has that affect on me. What would I do without cheese and chocolate! Thanks for dropping by!
This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it. My family will love this. Thank you so much for sharing with us at A Bouquet of Talent! You were featured at Pick of the Bunch today! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Hugs
Kathy
Kathy Moody recently posted…Bouquet of Talent Linky Party #56 and Top 5 Links
Absolutely! I was so glad to link up and share. Can’t wait to link up again! I hope your family really likes it!
Great recipe. Thanks so much for sharing at the Pinworthy Projects Party!
Shannah @ Just Us Four recently posted…Woohoo It is Fall – A $300 Gift Card Giveaway
Thanks so much! Look forward to linking up again!
Hi, I am stopping in from Mommyhood Media Bloggers. While poking around your site, I found this recipe. I am adding it to my recipe bookmark, and am going to try it out soon!
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Thanks so much for dropping by and for bookmarking my recipe! I hope you like it!