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.