Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
This Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a comforting, flavorful one-pot meal combining tender elbow macaroni, savory browned ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy tomato and green chili sauce made with Rotel and cream cheese. Easy to make and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it features a delightful blend of spices and melt-in-your-mouth cheddar cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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 7-9 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, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make Sauce: Add the entire 10-ounce can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, the softened 8-ounce block of cream cheese, and 1 cup beef broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the drained elbow macaroni to the pot. Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese melts completely and the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve the creamy Rotel pasta hot for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use hot Rotel instead of mild.
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta like penne or rotini if preferred.
- To reduce fat, use lean ground beef or ground turkey and low-fat cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, one pot pasta, cheddar cheese pasta
