Zesty Rotel Pasta Recipe: A Cheesy Comfort Food Dream

Whipping up a delightful rotel pasta recipe promises to be your ultimate comfort food adventure.

Creamy cheese and zesty tomatoes create an irresistible combination that dance across your taste buds.

Spicy peppers add a kick that makes this dish stand out from ordinary pasta meals.

Weekend cooking becomes a breeze with these simple ingredients waiting in your pantry.

Quick preparation means you can satisfy hunger without spending hours in the kitchen.

Bubbling with flavor and excitement, this recipe will become your new go-to meal when craving something satisfying and bold.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience a culinary journey that transforms an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Why Rotel Pasta Is A Weeknight Winner

• Conquer Weeknight Dinners: Tackle busy evenings with this straightforward, hearty recipe that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with spicy Rotel tomatoes, creamy cheese, and seasoned ground beef, this dish guarantees smiles around the dinner table.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to match your family's taste preferences.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a single-pan meal that combines pasta, protein, and rich, creamy sauce in one delicious preparation.

Ingredients You Need For Rotel Pasta

• Ground Beef: A protein-rich ingredient that forms the hearty base of this dish.
• Pasta: A versatile starch that provides substance and helps absorb the creamy sauce.
• Rotel Tomatoes: A zesty blend of diced tomatoes and green chilies that adds vibrant flavor and moisture to the recipe.

• Heavy Cream, Cheddar Cheese: A combination that creates a rich, smooth, and creamy sauce with a tangy undertone.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build a deep, savory flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.
• Fresh Cilantro: An optional garnish that adds a bright, fresh herbal note to the finished meal.

How To Make Rotel Pasta Step-By-Step

Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta

Fill a generously sized pot with water, toss in a small pinch of salt, and crank the heat to high. Let the water bubble and dance until it reaches a vigorous rolling boil.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Slide the pasta into the boiling water and cook according to package guidelines. Aim for that classic al dente texture, which typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef

Warm up a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Tumble in the ground beef and break it into tiny crumbles. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to a rich, appetizing brown – this usually takes around 7-9 minutes.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

Toss in the diced onions and minced garlic to join the beef party. Stir and cook until the onions become translucent and release their mouth-watering fragrance, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Add Rotel Tomatoes

Pour in the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies. Stir the mixture thoroughly, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance together for a quick 2 minutes.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat and splash in the heavy cream. Whisk continuously to transform the mixture into a silky, smooth sauce.

Step 7: Season the Mixture

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Ensure the seasonings are distributed evenly throughout the skillet.

Step 8: Combine Pasta and Beef

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the beef and tomato mixture. Make sure every pasta piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 9: Melt the Cheese

Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts completely and creates a luxuriously creamy consistency.

Step 10: Rest and Settle

Remove the skillet from heat and let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle and get to know each other.

Step 11: Garnish and Serve

If desired, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro on top. Serve the dish piping hot directly from the skillet, ready to delight taste buds.

Helpful Tips For Cooking Rotel Pasta

• Boost Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a perfect firm bite and prevent mushiness.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Shred cheese directly before adding to ensure smooth, quick melting and prevent clumping.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder and choose mild or hot Rotel tomatoes to match your preferred heat intensity.
• Cream Sauce Secret: Stir heavy cream continuously over low heat to prevent separation and achieve silky smoothness.
• Quick Flavor Enhancement: Let the dish rest briefly after cooking to allow seasonings to blend and intensify overall taste.

Flavor Ideas For Rotel Pasta

• Veggie Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version. Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Companion: Use zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta to reduce carbohydrate intake. Maintain the same spicy beef and cheese sauce for flavor.
• Spice Explorer: Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda. Add jalapeños or increase chili powder for an extra kick of heat. Swap Rotel for fresh diced tomatoes and green chilies for a customized spice level.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetable noodles. Ensure all seasonings and ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.

What To Serve With Rotel Pasta

• Pair with Zesty Mexican Cerveza: A crisp, light Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona cuts through the rich, creamy pasta and balances the spicy Rotel tomatoes with its refreshing character.
• Complement with Tangy Green Salad: Create a bright side salad with mixed greens, sliced jalapeños, lime juice, and a light cilantro vinaigrette to contrast the hearty beef and cheese sauce.
• Match with Cool Sour Cream Dollop: Add a generous spoonful of cold sour cream on top to temper the dish's heat and provide a creamy, cooling counterpoint to the spicy ground beef mixture.
• Enhance with Crispy Tortilla Chips: Serve crunchy corn tortilla chips alongside the pasta to add textural contrast and provide a perfect vehicle for scooping up the cheesy beef sauce.

How To Store Rotel Pasta Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, preserving the meal's delicious flavors.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add splash of cream or milk to prevent dryness, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm leftovers in skillet over medium-low heat, adding small amount of cream or broth to restore moisture, stirring gently until heated through and creamy consistency returns.

Common Questions About Rotel Pasta

• What are the key ingredients in this recipe?

Ground beef, pasta, Rotel tomatoes, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, onions, and garlic are the main ingredients that create a rich and flavorful dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The Rotel tomatoes with green chilies and optional chili powder add a mild to moderate heat level, which can be adjusted by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes.

• Can I make this recipe with ground turkey?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this recipe, maintaining similar texture and flavor profile.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, whole wheat pasta, reduced-fat cheese, and incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value.

Rotel Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy Rotel pasta brings southwestern comfort to dinner tables with its zesty blend of creamy cheese and bold tomato flavors. Cheesy, quick, and irresistibly satisfying, you’ll love this simple one-pot meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb pasta (such as penne or rotini)

Protein and Vegetables:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Seasonings:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for the pasta.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, about 7-9 minutes.
4. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Pour the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies into the beef mixture, stirring to combine and allow flavors to meld for 2 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to low and introduce heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce.
7. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and chili powder into the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
8. Gently fold the cooked pasta into the beef and tomato mixture, coating evenly.
9. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a creamy consistency.
10. Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
11. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by selecting mild, original, or hot Rotel tomatoes depending on spice preference.
• Select lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Consider using gluten-free pasta for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste.
• Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for diverse dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg