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ROTEL PASTA FIESTA Recipe

ROTEL PASTA FIESTA Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 17 reviews

This Rotel Pasta Fiesta is a flavorful and creamy skillet dish combining tender pasta with a zesty mix of ground beef or turkey, seasoned tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the addition of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies adds a mild spicy kick, balanced by the richness of heavy cream and a blend of taco seasoning. Garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley, this recipe brings a fiesta of flavors to your table with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne or rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  3. Add the Sauce Ingredients: To the browned meat, add the undrained can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, heavy cream, taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy tomato mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir until the cheese fully melts and the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve the Rotel Pasta Fiesta hot for a satisfying meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
  • To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use a hotter variety of Rotel tomatoes.
  • For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • Gluten-free pasta can be used to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stove or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: Rotel pasta, creamy pasta recipe, ground beef pasta, Tex-Mex pasta, cheddar cheese pasta, easy dinner, quick skillet meal, Rotel tomatoes recipe

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