Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
A comforting and creamy Rotel pasta dish featuring ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a flavorful blend of cheese and tomatoes with green chilies. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, this recipe is easy to prepare and delivers a rich, hearty meal in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
Meat & Seasonings
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
Liquids & Cheese
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (Rotel)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Brown Ground Beef: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute to allow the spices to fully infuse the meat.
- Create Sauce Base: Pour in the Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, then add softened cream cheese and beef broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Return the cooked macaroni to the pot and add shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Dish the creamy Rotel pasta into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the rich flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Replace garlic and onion powder with fresh minced garlic or diced onion for more texture and flavor.
- If Rotel is unavailable, use plain diced tomatoes with added chili spices.
- Use sour cream in place of cream cheese for a tangier sauce.
- Substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or dairy-free cheese to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Vegetable broth can be used instead of beef broth for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta, easy pasta dinner
