Cheesy Velveeta Rotini with Italian Beef Marinara

Cheesy Velveeta Rotini with Italian Beef Marinara

Creamy Velveeta pasta meets hearty Italian beef marinara for the ultimate comfort food mashup!

---

⏰ Prep Time: 10 mins | 🍳 Cook Time: 25 mins | 🍽️ Servings: 6

---

📝 Ingredients

For the Pasta & Beef:

• 1 lb rotini pasta (or penne)

• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

For the Cheesy Velveeta Sauce:

• ½ lb Velveeta cheese, cubed

• ½ cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tbsp butter

For Topping/Garnish:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• Fresh basil or parsley

• Extra Parmesan

---

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta & Beef:

1. Cook rotini al dente (per package instructions). Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.

3. Add onion and garlic, sautéing until soft (3-4 mins).

4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper. Simmer 10 mins.

2. Make the Velveeta Cheese Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add milk and Velveeta, stirring until smooth.

2. Stir in Parmesan cheese until fully melted.

3. Combine & Bake (Optional for Extra Cheesiness!):

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, mix pasta, beef marinara, and Velveeta sauce.

3. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake 15-20 mins until bubbly and golden.

4. Serve:

Garnish with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

---

💡 Pro Tips:

✅ Extra flavor boost: Add ½ cup sliced mushrooms or bell peppers to the beef marinara.
✅ Shortcut: Use leftover meat sauce or store-bought marinara to save time.
✅ Spicier kick: Swap regular marinara for arrabbiata sauce.

---

🔥 Why You’ll Love It:

• Ultra-creamy meets meaty—the best of both worlds!

• Kid-friendly but fancy enough for guests.

• One-pot option: Skip baking and mix everything in the skillet.

Comfort food heaven in every bite! 🧀🍝😋