Description
This cheesy Rotel pasta skillet is a fast, flavor-loaded dinner that brings Tex-Mex comfort straight to your table. Creamy sauce, tender pasta, and seasoned meat come together in one pan for an easy meal that disappears fast—seconds guaranteed.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces short pasta (rotini or penne work best)
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, juices included
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon taco-style seasoning blend
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro or parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browned and fully cooked. Remove excess grease if needed.
- Stir the diced tomatoes with chilies, cream, taco seasoning, and garlic powder into the skillet. Let the mixture gently bubble for about 5 minutes so the flavors blend and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce. Toss well so every piece is coated.
- Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle in the shredded cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Cook the pasta and meat earlier in the day and refrigerate separately for up to 48 hours.
- Meatless Option: Swap the meat for canned black beans and corn for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Protein Switch: Shredded rotisserie chicken or crumbled tofu both work beautifully.
- Serving Ideas: Pair with garlic bread, tortilla chips, or a simple green salad for balance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg