Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that satisfies the whole family? This Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara combines the comforting richness of melted Velveeta cheese with a savory, beefy tomato marinara—all tossed with tender spaghetti. It’s a cozy, craveable, and easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights or indulgent weekend dinners. Whether you’re after a hearty main dish, fun dinner ideas, or food ideas that please picky eaters, this creamy pasta checks all the boxes for flavor, simplicity, and comfort.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
24 oz marinara sauce
0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon dried basil
0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper, to taste
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion to the beef and sauté for 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Pour in marinara sauce and stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to low and stir in Velveeta cubes gradually. Stir constantly until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
6. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently until well combined. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
7. Optional: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and broil 2–3 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Add Velveeta in stages on low heat to prevent clumping and get a perfectly creamy sauce.
Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente holds up best once mixed with sauce.
For more depth, simmer the beef marinara sauce before adding cheese for full-bodied flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 ½ cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: creamy spaghetti, Velveeta pasta, easy dinner, beef marinara, quick dinner, comfort food