Description
Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a fast and satisfying dinner idea that combines cheesy comfort with a spicy kick. This one-pot pasta is perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or when you need something hearty and crowd-pleasing in under 30 minutes. Made with pantry staples like ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and pasta, it’s an easy recipe loaded with bold flavor and creamy texture. Ideal for anyone looking for quick dinners, easy pasta meals, or spicy comfort food ideas.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 can (10 oz) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente according to package directions. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
4. Pour in the Rotel (with juices), and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes.
5. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Once warmed, add cheddar and mozzarella. Stir until fully melted and creamy.
6. Toss in the cooked penne pasta, combining well to coat all the noodles. Add pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Let it warm together for 2–3 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot.
Notes
For the smoothest sauce, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded.
Don’t overcook the pasta—it will continue to soften slightly once mixed with the sauce.
Add spinach, mushrooms, or peppers to make it more nutrient-rich without changing the base flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, rotel pasta, spicy ground beef pasta, quick pasta, comfort food, one-pot meal