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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for the pasta.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- 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.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies into the beef mixture, stirring to combine and allow flavors to meld for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and introduce heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and chili powder into the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the beef and tomato mixture, coating evenly.
- Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a creamy consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- 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