Description
Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a rich, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a silky Rotel-cheese sauce. Cream cheese and cheddar melt into a bold, comforting pasta that is ready in about 30 minutes. This easy, crowd-pleasing recipe stacks flavor with minimal prep, stores well, and makes the perfect family-friendly weeknight meal for savory, cheesy comfort. It is kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and reheats beautifully for lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and milk. Cook, stirring, until cream cheese is fully melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Stir until pasta is fully coated and cheese is melted.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can use lean ground beef to reduce fat.
- For extra creaminess, whisk in a splash more milk.
- If you like it spicier, add additional Rotel or a pinch of chili flakes.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for 3-4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
- This dish works with penne or rotini for the best sauce coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef, Rotel pasta, Cream cheese pasta, Ground beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pan pasta, cheesy pasta, Rotel tomatoes, penne pasta, quick comfort food