Description
Craving a cozy, cheesy pasta that still comes together fast? This Creamy Velveeta Spaghetti with Italian Beef Marinara wraps silky melted cheese around tender spaghetti and a robust, Italian-seasoned beef marinara. It’s a family favorite that tastes like a weekend treat but fits any busy weeknight—simple ingredients, one skillet for the sauce, and loads of comfort. Perfect for easy dinner nights, pasta night, and last-minute food ideas when you want big flavor without fuss. Great for dinner ideas and even next-day lunches, this easy recipe will slide right into your rotation.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef (85-90% lean)
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
24 oz marinara sauce
8 oz Velveeta, cubed
1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion 3 minutes until softened; add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned; drain excess fat if needed.
4. Stir in marinara; simmer 8-10 minutes so flavors meld. Add red pepper flakes if using.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta cubes; stir until fully melted and creamy. Splash in reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
6. Toss in cooked spaghetti until coated. Garnish with parsley and serve (with Parmesan if you like).
Notes
For extra depth, brown the beef hard to develop fond before adding marinara—scrape those browned bits into the sauce.
Sauce too thick after cooling? Reheat gently with a splash of milk or pasta water to restore the silky texture.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 61
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 87
Keywords: easy dinner, pasta, velveeta, spaghetti, weeknight meal, beef marinara, comfort food