Description
This Creamy Velveeta Rigatoni with Italian Beef Marinara is the ultimate cheesy pasta comfort food. With rich marinara, hearty ground beef, and smooth Velveeta cheese, it’s a family-friendly dinner recipe perfect for cozy nights. Easy, indulgent, and full of bold Italian flavor, this rigatoni dish is an all-in-one skillet favorite.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound ground beef
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups cubed Velveeta cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook until softened and aromatic.
3. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add cubed Velveeta cheese to the skillet. Stir until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
6. Toss in the cooked rigatoni. Mix well until all pasta is coated with the cheesy beef marinara.
7. (Optional) Sprinkle mozzarella or parmesan over the top and cover until melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
Cut Velveeta into small cubes to help it melt evenly and avoid clumping.
If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or broth to revive the creamy texture.
For a baked twist, transfer to a casserole dish, top with mozzarella, and broil until golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg