Description
If you're craving ultimate comfort food that comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor, this Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rotini Pasta with Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce is your go-to dish. Tender rotini is tossed with juicy seared chicken and folded into a rich, cheesy garlic sauce made with melty Velveeta and stretchy mozzarella. This easy dinner idea is perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or when you just need a quick comfort fix. Whether you're searching for easy recipes, family dinner ideas, or a quick creamy pasta, this is the kind of recipe that hits all the marks—flavor, ease, and serious cheesiness.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, minced or roasted
1 cup whole milk, warmed
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt butter and stir in garlic. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add warm milk and heavy cream, whisking gently to combine and warm through.
5. Stir in cubed Velveeta until melted. Add mozzarella and whisk until smooth. Season with onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt/pepper to taste.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Add rotini and toss until evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
7. Remove from heat. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Cube the Velveeta small for faster, smoother melting.
Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded.
Add veggies like broccoli or spinach for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken rotini, velveeta recipe, cheesy dinner, easy pasta dish