Description
If you’re craving a rich and cheesy dinner that feeds a crowd and satisfies every comfort food urge, Cheesy Velveeta Rotini with Italian Beef Marinara is your answer. Tender spiraled rotini wraps around a savory beefy marinara sauce and is coated with creamy Velveeta that melts like a dream. This recipe is a weeknight winner and a family favorite, ideal for anyone searching for cheesy pasta ideas, hearty dinner recipes, or easy meals with big flavor. With minimal prep and ingredients you likely already have, this one-pan dish delivers bold taste and satisfying texture with every bite.
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups marinara sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Pour in marinara sauce and add Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
5. Lower heat and stir in Velveeta until melted and smooth.
6. Add the cooked rotini to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce.
7. (Optional) Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
If baking with mozzarella on top, use broil mode for 2 minutes at the end to brown the cheese.
For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or swap in Italian sausage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot / Baked
- Cuisine: American / Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, ground beef pasta, Velveeta recipes, easy dinner, comfort food