Name: Creamy Rotel Pasta with Spiced Ground Beef and Cheddar
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound penne pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 yellow onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained; 1 cup beef broth; ½ cup heavy cream; 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Description

Hey food lovers! Welcome to a deliciously creamy and slightly spicy pasta recipe that will satisfy all your cravings. Today, we’re diving into a comforting and flavor-packed dish, Creamy Rotel Pasta with Spiced Ground Beef and Cheddar. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or a crowd-pleaser, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 cup beef broth
½ cup heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Penne Pasta: Start by cooking your penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Follow the package directions and cook until al dente, which usually takes around 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook while breaking up the meat until browned and the onion softens, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
Add Garlic and Seasonings: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Now, stir in the undrained can of Rotel diced tomatoes, beef broth, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic salt, ground cumin, and black pepper.
Simmer the Sauce: Bring everything to a gentle simmer. Allow the cream cheese to melt completely while the sauce slightly thickens, which should take around 5 minutes.
Melt the Cheddar Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into the sauce, making it smooth and creamy.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the luscious sauce.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for an extra burst of freshness.

Notes

Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before adding it to the sauce to ensure it melts smoothly.
Extra Creaminess: If you want an even creamier sauce, feel free to add an extra splash of heavy cream.
Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, use a can of diced tomatoes without green chilies, or reduce the chili powder.