Description
This Creamy Rotel Pasta & Ground Beef is the perfect 30-minute weeknight dinner. Made with juicy ground beef, zesty Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and pasta, it delivers bold flavor in a creamy, cheesy sauce. One pan, big flavor, minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
4. Stir in Rotel tomatoes, salt, pepper, and paprika. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir until smooth.
6. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
7. Add pasta to the skillet and stir to coat with the sauce.
8. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Cover and let it melt for 2–3 minutes.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a spicier version, use hot Rotel or add crushed red pepper flakes.
You can lighten it up by using lean ground turkey and light cream.
Best served immediately, but reheats beautifully with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: creamy rotel pasta, ground beef pasta, easy dinner