Description
Creamy Velveeta Rigatoni with Italian Beef Marinara is a hearty pasta dinner recipe made with rigatoni noodles, Velveeta cheese, and rich homemade Italian-style beef marinara sauce. This creamy rigatoni is easy, comforting, and perfect for a cozy family meal. Keywords: creamy Velveeta rigatoni, Italian beef pasta, cheesy rigatoni dinner, beef marinara recipe, comfort food pasta.
Ingredients
16 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef
12 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are soft and fragrant.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
5. Lower heat and add cubed Velveeta cheese to the sauce. Stir until fully melted and creamy.
6. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce and stir well to coat. Serve hot with fresh basil garnish if desired.
Notes
This pasta tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld together.
Use penne or ziti if rigatoni isn’t available.
Add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back the creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg