Description
Rotel Pasta Fiesta is a flavorful and creamy one-pan dish combining tender penne or rotini pasta with savory browned ground beef or turkey, zesty Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, rich heavy cream, and melted cheddar cheese. Enhanced with taco seasoning and garlic powder, this quick and easy meal brings a festive Tex-Mex twist to your dinner table, perfect for weeknight meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta and protein
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
sauce and seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Stir into the skillet the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, heavy cream, taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat all the noodles in the creamy, spicy sauce. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top and stir until it melts completely, creating a rich, creamy texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a bright, fresh finish. Serve the Rotel Pasta Fiesta hot for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or even plant-based meat for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust the amount of Rotel tomatoes based on your spice preference; mild or original versions work well.
- For a lower-fat version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduced-fat cheese.
- The taco seasoning can be homemade or store-bought, just be mindful of sodium content.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta recipe, Tex-Mex pasta, ground beef pasta, quick dinner, Rotel tomatoes recipe, pasta fiesta
