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Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef

creamy rotel pasta with ground beef - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring browned ground beef and tangy Rotel tomatoes, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or favorite short pasta
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Pour in the undrained can of Rotel tomatoes. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add softened cream cheese and milk to the skillet. Stir constantly until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Stir in cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until cheese melts and coats the pasta.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional chili powder or smoked paprika. Simmer on low for 2 more minutes, stirring gently.

Notes

Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for best melt and flavor. To avoid clumps in the sauce, keep heat medium-low and stir constantly when melting cream cheese. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free variety. Add hot sauce or cayenne for extra heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: Rotel pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/creamy-rotel-pasta-with-ground-beef-easy-cozy-comfort-dinner-recipe/