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Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe

Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 51 reviews

Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a cozy, crowd-pleasing main dish that combines tender rotini pasta, flavorful seasoned ground beef, and a spicy, cheesy tomato sauce. This easy one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering bold Tex-Mex flavors with comforting creaminess in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces rotini pasta

Beef Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juice)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
  3. Season the Beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef, stir to combine, then add water, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef with the spices.
  4. Add Tomatoes: Pour in the can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, including all the liquid. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
  5. Make Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is velvety.
  6. Season and Finish: Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Add the cooked rotini pasta into the skillet, tossing well to coat all the noodles evenly.
  7. Thicken and Serve: Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce. Taste again and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or chopped herbs if desired.

Notes

  • You can swap rotini for any short pasta shape, such as penne or fusilli.
  • Adjust the spice level by using mild or hot Rotel depending on your preference.
  • For extra veggies, stir in bell peppers or corn with the tomatoes.
  • Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: rotel pasta, creamy ground beef pasta, one pan pasta, tex-mex pasta, quick dinner

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/creamy-rotel-pasta-with-ground-beef-recipe/