Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef (Print Version)
A comforting dish of creamy pasta with ground beef and zesty Rotel that will warm your heart!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: Contains dairy, gluten
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
Rotel tomatoes
02 -
Ground beef
03 -
Pasta
04 -
Cream cheese
05 -
Garlic
06 -
Cheddar cheese
→ Seasonings & Spices
07 -
Salt
08 -
Pepper
09 -
Chili powder
10 -
Cumin
→ Garnish & Toppings
11 -
Extra cheddar
12 -
Fresh parsley
→ Optional Extras
13 -
Frozen veggies
14 -
Black beans
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Honestly, this is where I usually forget to salt the water and then regret it later. You want it to taste like the ocean, people! Cook the pasta until al dente—about 8-10 minutes. You know it’s ready when it’s firm but not crunchy! Drain and set aside.
02 -
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. You’ll want to break it up with a wooden spoon. Oh, and don’t forget to drain the fat afterward! I learned that the hard way when my pasta turned into a greasy disaster during my first attempt...
03 -
Once the beef is cooked through, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute. Your kitchen will smell like heaven! Then, pour in that glorious can of Rotel. Let it simmer and combine for a few minutes. This is where you can play around and add more spices if you’re feeling adventurous!
04 -
Now, here’s the fun part—add in the cream cheese and stir until it’s all melted and creamy. I usually use a wooden spoon, but sometimes I get too excited and just use my spatula. It’s a bit messy, but who cares when it’s delicious, right? Make sure everything is well combined and gooey!
05 -
Finally, fold in your cooked pasta and mix until it’s all coated in that creamy goodness. You might need to add a splash of pasta water if it seems too thick. I’ve definitely overdone it before, and then the whole dish was sticky—oops!
06 -
Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve hot. I like to sprinkle some extra cheddar on top and let it melt a bit. The final dish should smell amazing and look like pure comfort! I promise you’ll end up going back for seconds!
# Notes:
01 -
Don’t forget to season your pasta water! It makes a huge difference. Watch the heat when melting the cream cheese-too high, and it can separate. Make it your own by adding veggies or different spices!
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large pot
02 -
skillet
03 -
wooden spoon
04 -
spatula
05 -
colander
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 550
Total Fat: 25
Total Carbohydrate: 55
Protein: 30