Description
Creamy Velveeta Rigatoni with Italian Beef Marinara is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday dinners. Loaded with rich marinara, seasoned beef, and melty Velveeta, this dish bakes up golden, bubbly, and guaranteed to satisfy every craving.
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground Italian beef
2 cups crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
2 cups Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the ground Italian beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce. Stir and let simmer for 10-15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
5. In a separate saucepan, melt the Velveeta over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid scorching.
6. Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the beef and sauce. Fold in the melted Velveeta until well combined.
7. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with shredded mozzarella if desired.
8. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
9. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, add a splash of red wine to the beef and marinara while simmering.
You can assemble the dish a day in advance and bake just before serving.
Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for a kick of heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: creamy pasta bake, velveeta rigatoni, beef marinara