Description

Get ready to dive into pure comfort food bliss with Creamy Velveeta Rigatoni with Italian Beef Marinara. This rich, cheesy pasta dish combines hearty ground beef, smooth Velveeta cheese, and tangy marinara sauce for a meal that’s fast, satisfying, and seriously crave-worthy. It’s perfect as a quick dinner idea, a family-favorite comfort meal, or a hearty leftover lunch. If you’re looking for easy recipes, weeknight pasta dishes, or just new dinner ideas, this one’s a guaranteed winner.

Ingredients

1 pound rigatoni pasta

1 pound ground beef

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups marinara sauce

8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes.

3. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.

5. Pour in marinara sauce. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

6. Add cubed Velveeta to the sauce. Stir gently over low heat until fully melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.

7. Combine cooked rigatoni with the sauce. Stir until fully coated.

8. (Optional) Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

Cube Velveeta before adding it to the sauce for quicker, even melting.

Save pasta water before draining — it’s useful for adjusting sauce thickness.

Don’t skip seasoning the beef early for deeper, balanced flavor throughout.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop (with optional broil)
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1½ cups
Calories: 540
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: creamy pasta, Velveeta rigatoni, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy beef pasta