This comforting twist on classic spaghetti will quickly become a weeknight favorite. Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara is exactly what it sounds like—decadent, cheesy, and meaty with a balance of richness and bold Italian flavor. It takes your usual pasta dinner and turns it into something the whole family will crave again and again.

The smooth melt of Velveeta cheese wraps itself around each strand of spaghetti while the hearty beef marinara simmers with garlic, herbs, and crushed tomatoes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this dish serves up warmth and satisfaction in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti

If you’re a fan of comfort food with a bit of nostalgia, this is the recipe for you. Velveeta adds that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that brings childhood memories flooding back, but here it’s paired with a grown-up marinara made from scratch. It’s quick, affordable, and ideal for picky eaters and foodies alike.

With just a few pantry staples and less than 45 minutes start to finish, you get a filling, full-flavored meal that checks all the boxes: cheesy, saucy, meaty, and incredibly satisfying.

What Kind of Pasta Works Best with Velveeta Sauce?

Spaghetti is the classic choice for a reason—its long strands provide the perfect canvas for the creamy sauce and hearty marinara to cling to. That said, this recipe is also delicious with rotini, penne, or even elbow macaroni if you’re looking to switch things up or use what you have in the pantry. The key is choosing a shape that captures plenty of sauce in each bite.

Ingredients for the Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara

This recipe combines simple, familiar ingredients that pack a punch of flavor when brought together. The creaminess of the Velveeta balances the tang of tomatoes and richness of the beef. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this dish to life:

Spaghetti: Traditional and comforting, spaghetti noodles hold up well to the creamy sauce and beef marinara.
Ground Beef: Provides hearty flavor and protein, creating the base for the marinara.
Velveeta Cheese: The key to the creamy texture, Velveeta melts smoothly and binds everything together.
Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the base of the marinara, adding acidity and body to the sauce.
Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor, giving depth to the sauce.
Onion: Adds sweetness and complexity when sautéed with the beef.
Garlic: Brings out bold, aromatic notes essential to Italian dishes.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that infuses the marinara with traditional flavor.
Salt & Pepper: Basic seasonings that elevate all the other flavors.

Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara 2

How To Make the Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara

Step 1: Boil the Spaghetti

Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, then set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Aromatics

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and garlic, stirring until softened and fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Marinara

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to develop flavor.

Step 4: Make it Creamy

Cube the Velveeta and stir it into the marinara. Let it melt gently over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and combined.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss until the noodles are fully coated in the creamy beef marinara. Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs or grated cheese if desired.

How to Serve and Store Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara

This comforting pasta dish is perfect for serving right out of the skillet. It’s rich, creamy, and satisfying on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp green salad if you’re putting together a full dinner spread. A generous sprinkle of grated parmesan on top never hurts either.

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings, making it ideal for families or small gatherings. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. You can add a splash of milk if the sauce needs loosening up.

What to Serve With Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti?

Garlic Bread

Crunchy, buttery garlic bread is the go-to sidekick for this pasta. It helps scoop up every bit of that cheesy sauce.

Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar adds a fresh, tangy contrast to the rich, creamy spaghetti. The crunch of romaine and sharp parmesan balances everything out.

Roasted Green Beans

Oven-roasted green beans with a bit of lemon or garlic butter give a light, healthy touch to the meal.

Caprese Salad

If you’re looking for something summery, go for sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Sautéed Mushrooms

Earthy mushrooms sautéed in butter and garlic add depth and a touch of umami.

Breadsticks

Soft and fluffy breadsticks, especially those brushed with garlic butter, are always welcome at the table.

Balsamic Glazed Carrots

A slightly sweet and tangy side that contrasts well with the creamy, savory pasta.

Antipasto Platter

If you’re entertaining, start with an antipasto platter filled with olives, cured meats, marinated veggies, and cheeses.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara, you’re in for a treat. Here are a few more comforting pasta recipes from Mia Plates that bring a creative spin to the table:

Try this creamy and cheesy Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta for a buttery, decadent dinner.
For something hearty with a Tex-Mex twist, don’t miss Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta.
Feeling indulgent? The Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce is packed with cheesy flavor and beefy goodness.
Want a baked option? The Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce is perfect for cozy nights in.
Need something quick and creamy? The Creamy Beef and Shells comes together in no time.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you stick with spaghetti or try a different pasta shape? Did you throw in extra herbs or spice it up?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.

Explore beautifully curated comfort meals and hearty dishes on Mia Recipes on Pinterest and find your next favorite dinner idea!