Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
This creamy Rotel pasta with ground beef is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a rich cheese sauce made with cream cheese and cheddar. It’s an easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners that combines creamy, cheesy, and mildly spicy flavors in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Beef: In the same pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 1 minute to let the spices blend with the beef.
- Make Sauce: Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), the softened 8-ounce block of cream cheese, and 1 cup of beef broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and stir gently until the cheese melts and coats the pasta and beef mixture evenly.
- Serve: Optionally garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve the creamy Rotel pasta hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add extra diced green chilies or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute beef broth with chicken broth or vegetable broth if preferred.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and cheddar cheese to reduce fat content.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta, ground beef pasta, cheesy pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, one-pot pasta, comfort food
