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Rotel Pasta Fiesta

A quick Tex-Mex inspired pasta featuring seasoned ground meat, zesty Rotel tomatoes, and a creamy sharp cheddar sauce that comes together in 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta rotini or penne recommended
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies undrained
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded recommended
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • Large deep skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • Cheese grater
  • colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain well but do not rinse. Set aside.
  2. In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until fully cooked with no pink remaining. Drain excess grease if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  3. To the skillet with the meat, add the entire can of Rotel (including liquid), heavy cream, taco seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta with the sauce.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and continue stirring until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Pasta will thicken as it sits. Reheat on stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen. Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently, adding liquid as needed. Vegetarian Version: Replace ground meat with 1 can black beans (drained) and 1 cup frozen corn. Heat Level: Use mild Rotel for family-friendly heat, or original for more kick. Add diced jalapeños or cayenne for extra spice. Rotisserie Chicken: Substitute 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken for ground meat. Add with Rotel and skip browning step. Cheese Tip: Freshly shredded cheese from a block melts much smoother than pre-shredded varieties which contain anti-caking agents.