Description
If you’re craving a quick dinner that brings total comfort in every bite, this Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce is your go-to. It’s ultra-creamy, loaded with melty cheese, and packed with tender chicken—perfect for busy nights or easy meal prep. The garlic-infused sauce coats every piece of rigatoni and gives that stick-to-your-fork satisfaction. Ideal for fans of easy recipes, cheesy food ideas, and delicious dinner ideas that don’t require a culinary degree. This one-skillet wonder is rich, satisfying, and ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle flour over the garlic and butter, stirring for 1 minute to form a roux.
4. Slowly whisk in milk or half-and-half. Cook for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta cubes and stir until completely melted and smooth.
6. Add cooked chicken and most of the mozzarella. Stir until everything is melted and combined.
7. Fold in the cooked rigatoni. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
8. Garnish with parsley or basil. Optionally, transfer to a baking dish, top with more mozzarella, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden.
Notes
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting and texture.
Always reserve pasta water before draining—it helps adjust sauce consistency.
Avoid high heat when melting cheese to prevent clumping or separating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, easy recipe, chicken rigatoni, cheesy dinner, Velveeta recipe