Rotel Pasta Fiesta: Creamy Tex-Mex One-Pot Wonder (Print Version)
Rotel pasta with creamy cheese sauce, ground beef, and Tex-Mex spices. Ready in 25 minutes, this one-pot comfort food hits different every time.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Gluten
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
02 -
12 oz penne pasta
03 -
1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes
04 -
2 cups beef broth
→ Creamy Base
05 -
8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 -
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
→ Seasonings & Spices
07 -
1 tsp salt
08 -
1/2 tsp black pepper
09 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
→ Optional Extras
10 -
Fresh cilantro for garnish
11 -
Sliced jalapeños
12 -
Extra shredded cheese
13 -
Lime wedges
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat your biggest pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it really brown with crispy edges, about 6-7 minutes. Drain off most of the fat, leaving just a little for flavor.
02 -
Add Rotel tomatoes (juice and all), uncooked pasta, and beef broth. Stir everything together and bring to a rolling boil. Season with salt and pepper, then reduce heat to medium.
03 -
Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so nothing sticks. Pasta should be tender and most liquid absorbed. Add more broth if too dry, simmer uncovered if too soupy.
04 -
Remove from heat and immediately add cubes of softened cream cheese. Stir vigorously until completely melted and creates a creamy sauce. Add a splash of broth if too thick.
05 -
Stir in sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and sauce coats everything beautifully. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding garlic powder if desired.
06 -
Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, then serve immediately while steaming hot. Sprinkle extra cheese on top and serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
# Notes:
01 -
Always soften cream cheese first to avoid lumpy sauce—I learned this the hard way!
02 -
Leftovers reheat beautifully on low heat with a splash of milk or broth added back in.
03 -
Ground turkey works great as a substitute, just add extra seasoning since it's milder than beef.
04 -
Frozen corn and black beans make excellent additions—just toss them in with the pasta to cook together.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large pot or Dutch oven
02 -
wooden spoon
03 -
measuring cups
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 485
Total Fat: 24g
Total Carbohydrate: 42g
Protein: 28g