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Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef

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A comforting and satisfying one-pan meal with seasoned ground beef, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and creamy cheese sauce, all tossed with al dente pasta for a delicious dinner.

Ingredients

  • Pasta (rotini, penne, or rigatoni)
  • Ground beef (80/20 lean preferred)
  • Olive oil
  • Yellow onion, diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Jalapeño (optional, for heat)
  • 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (use mild, medium, or hot)
  • Heavy cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Velveeta cheese (or cheddar/jack cheese blend)
  • Beef broth (for extra sauce depth)
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Pasta cooking water, reserved
  • Green onions or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, drain and reserve some pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add ground beef and diced onion (and jalapeño if using). Cook until beef is browned (~5–7 min). Season with spices. Drain if too greasy.
  3. Add minced garlic; sauté until fragrant (~1 min). Stir in Rotel tomatoes (undrained), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic salt). Simmer ~5–10 min until slightly thickened.
  4. Reduce heat, stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, and Velveeta (or cheeses), stirring until smooth and melted.
  5. Add cooked pasta, tossing to coat. Use reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  6. Garnish with green onions or cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for variety.
  • Add shrimp or crawfish for a surf-and-turf twist.
  • Incorporate spinach, bell peppers, corn, or black beans for added vegetables.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, Colby jack, or smoked cheddar.
  • Increase spice with diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot Rotel.
  • For a casserole, bake in a greased 9×13″ dish at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/creamy-rotel-pasta-with-ground-beef/