Description
Creamy Rotel Pasta & Ground Beef is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. Featuring zesty Rotel tomatoes, rich ground beef, and a luscious cheese sauce, this easy pasta recipe is bold, spicy, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for busy nights or meal prep!
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add Rotel (with juice) and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add cream cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it bubble gently on medium-low heat.
5. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
6. Fold in the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Simmer for 1 more minute.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For a richer sauce, let the cheese melt fully before adding the pasta.
Use mild Rotel for a less spicy version or hot Rotel for extra heat.
Add corn, beans, or black olives for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ¼ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg