Description
Rotel Pasta Fiesta brings zesty southwestern flair to your dinner table with a quick and creamy one-pot marvel. Spicy tomatoes, melted cheese, and tender pasta create a comforting meal that satisfies hunger and delights senses in one delicious swoop.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne, rotini, or your favorite pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (mild or spicy, as desired)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
- ¼ cup milk (more if needed to adjust consistency)
Seasonings and Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped cilantro
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sliced jalapenos
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted water vessel to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidance. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Activate a spacious cast-iron skillet over moderate flame. Introduce a light olive oil coating and sauté diced onions and vibrant bell peppers until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and ground protein, systematically fragmenting meat with a wooden utensil. Continue cooking until protein transforms into rich, caramelized crumbles with no pink remnants.
- Pour zesty Rotel tomatoes into the simmering skillet. Gently fold in sweet corn kernels and hearty black beans. Allow mixture to bubble and integrate flavors for 8-10 minutes, developing a robust taste profile.
- Transfer perfectly cooked pasta into the spice-infused protein medley. Thoroughly toss ingredients, ensuring each pasta strand becomes lavishly coated with the vibrant sauce.
- Extinguish flame and sprinkle generous shredded cheese throughout. Stir until cheese melts into a creamy, glossy texture that embraces the entire dish.
- Transfer to serving dishes and embellish with additional cheese, fresh cilantro sprigs, cool sour cream dollops, or creamy avocado slices for an elevated presentation.
Notes
- Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that keeps protein levels high.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy Rotel tomatoes depending on your family’s spice tolerance.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor complexity.
- Make this dish ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently with a splash of broth to maintain moisture and prevent pasta from drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg