Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef
A hearty weeknight dish combining browned ground beef, fire-roasted Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, and a rich dairy sauce of cream cheese and sour cream. The sauce clings perfectly to pasta, offering a creamy and spicy balance that's quick to prepare and reliable for any American/Tex-Mex fan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85%/15% fat)
- 12 oz dried pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral oil
- 1 small diced onion (yellow or white)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and slightly crisped, about 6-8 minutes. Remove excess fat from skillet.
- Toss the cooked pasta directly into the meat mixture, then stir in diced onion and garlic until softened (~5 minutes). Add Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add cubed cream cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and smooth. Fold in sour cream or Greek yogurt and shredded cheddar. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and binds the pasta.
- Divide among plates, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
Use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of Rotel for less sodium and heat control.
For dietary swaps, use ground turkey instead of beef and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Cooking pasta in the same pan saves cleanup steps and enhances flavor melding.
For dietary swaps, use ground turkey instead of beef and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Cooking pasta in the same pan saves cleanup steps and enhances flavor melding.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g
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