Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a comforting, flavorful dish combining tender elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and the zesty kick of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Enriched with cream cheese and melted cheddar, this one-pot meal is perfect for a quick family dinner that’s both creamy and mildly spicy.
- Author: Zane
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Dry Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- One 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Liquids and Oils
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the ground beef: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add seasonings and Rotel: To the cooked beef, add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the juice). Cook for 3-4 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Create the creamy sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream cheese melts completely and combines with the beef and tomatoes, creating a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate broth and cheese: Pour in the beef broth to loosen the sauce slightly, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked elbow macaroni into the skillet with the creamy beef mixture. Stir well to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce. Heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy your creamy, slightly spicy Rotel pasta with ground beef!
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use a spicier Rotel variety.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- You can use sharp or mild cheddar cheese based on your taste preference.
- If cream cheese is not softened, microwave it in short bursts to soften quickly.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth or milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta recipe, ground beef pasta, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, Rotel ground beef, quick family meal