Description
This creamy Rotel pasta dish combines hearty ground beef, flavorful spices, and a rich cheese sauce with tender penne pasta. It’s a quick, comforting dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Brown the Beef:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. - Add Garlic:
Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. - Prepare the Sauce:
Add the undrained can of Rotel, beef broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic salt, cumin, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. - Melt the Cheese:
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. - Combine with Pasta:
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the creamy Rotel sauce. - Serve:
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cheese Options: Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or a cheese blend if preferred.
- Spice Level: Use mild or hot Rotel depending on your spice preference.
- Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the sauce ahead of time and reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 520kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
