Description
Rotel pasta delivers a spicy southwestern sensation that dances with creamy cheese and zesty tomatoes. Comfort meets excitement in this quick, hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 8 ounces (227 grams) pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to package guidelines until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, gently sweating diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Pour Rotel tomatoes into the skillet, creating a vibrant and zesty base for the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and gently incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent separation and create a smooth, rich texture.
- Gradually sprinkle shredded cheese into the mixture, stirring until completely melted and the sauce develops a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Fold the reserved pasta into the skillet, ensuring each noodle is generously coated with the spicy, cheesy sauce.
- Season the dish with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to taste and mixing thoroughly.
- Transfer the creamy Rotel pasta to serving plates, ensuring an even distribution of the hearty sauce and garnish if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the robust, comforting flavors.
Notes
- Select elbow macaroni or rotini for better sauce absorption, ensuring each pasta piece gets coated with creamy goodness.
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter dish without compromising flavor.
- Consider using reduced-fat cheese for a healthier version that still maintains a rich, melty texture.
- Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian-friendly alternative that keeps the dish protein-packed and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg