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Rotel Pasta Fiesta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 144 reviews

Rotel Pasta Fiesta is a flavorful and creamy pasta dish combining tender penne or rotini with seasoned ground beef or turkey, spicy Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, and rich cheddar cheese. This quick and easy skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and packed with Tex-Mex inspired flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)

Meat and Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 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

Cheese and Garnish

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to prepare the rest of the dish.
  2. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat over medium heat and add the ground beef or turkey. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  3. Add the Sauce Ingredients: To the cooked meat in the skillet, add the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, heavy cream, taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let cook for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss or stir well to coat the pasta thoroughly with the creamy, spicy sauce. Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese and continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and becomes creamy, enveloping the pasta.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve the Rotel Pasta Fiesta hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef depending on preference.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and sauté vegetables like bell peppers and onions instead.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add extra diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
  • Use low-fat or half-and-half cream for a lighter option, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers for next-day meals.

Keywords: Rotel pasta, Tex-Mex pasta, creamy pasta, ground beef pasta, easy dinner, sausage pasta, taco seasoning recipe

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/rotel-pasta-fiesta-recipe/