Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that’s indulgent, satisfying, and totally foolproof? This Creamy Velveeta Rigatoni with Italian Beef Marinara is the comfort food recipe you didn’t know you needed. It features tender rigatoni noodles tossed in a velvety cheese sauce made with melty Velveeta and layered with a rich, herb-seasoned beef marinara. Whether you’re craving easy food ideas for busy nights or just something extra cozy, this dish is a guaranteed hit. Perfect for easy dinners, family meals, or even leftover lunches, it’s loaded with flavor and takes just 30 minutes to make. Dinner ideas don’t get better than this.
Ingredients
16 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef
2 cups marinara sauce
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional topping)
½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
5. Add cubed Velveeta to the skillet and stir until completely melted and sauce is smooth. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.
6. Toss in the cooked rigatoni and stir until the pasta is evenly coated in sauce.
7. (Optional) Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle mozzarella on top, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Cube the Velveeta cheese for quicker and smoother melting into the sauce.
Use quality marinara for deeper, richer flavor—it’s half the magic.
Don’t overcook the pasta—rigatoni holds up best when it’s al dente.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: creamy rigatoni, Velveeta pasta, easy dinner, beef marinara pasta, quick pasta recipe