Spicy Rotel Pasta with Beef for Easy Weeknight Dinners
A creamy, cheesy pasta loaded with ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and Tex-Mex flavor — spicy, hearty, and perfect for weeknight comfort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, green onions, cilantro
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In skillet, brown ground beef and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Drain fat.
- Add Rotel and simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in cream cheese, cheddar, and milk. Cook until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add pasta water if needed.
- Serve hot with toppings of choice.
Notes
- Use turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter version.
- Stir in spinach, corn, or black beans for added nutrients.
- Reheats well for leftovers.