Rotel Pasta Fiesta: Creamy, Cheesy Tex-Mex One-Pot Dinner
Rotel Pasta Fiesta combines creamy cheese, Tex-Mex spices, and pasta for a crowd-pleasing one-pot dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown ground meat over medium heat. Drain grease.
- Add Rotel, heavy cream, taco seasoning, and garlic powder. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in cooked pasta and mix to coat in sauce.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with cilantro or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Make ahead: cook pasta and brown meat in advance, store separately up to 2 days.
- Vegetarian option: use black beans and corn instead of meat.
- Protein swap: shredded chicken or tofu works well.
- Serve with garlic bread or a crisp salad.