Description
Spicy Rotel Pasta Fiesta brings Mexican-inspired zest to your dinner table with a creamy, cheesy pasta that dances with bold southwestern flavors. Comfort meets excitement in this quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta:
- 8 oz penne pasta or rotini
- 1 box elbow macaroni
vegetables:
- 1 can rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
protein and dairy:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
seasonings and extras:
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef or turkey, breaking it into crumbles while cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Incorporate diced onions and bell peppers into the meat, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become slightly translucent and tender.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices.
- Pour Rotel tomatoes with green chilies into the skillet, mixing well with the seasoned meat and vegetables, allowing flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and fold cooked pasta into the meat and vegetable mixture, ensuring every pasta piece is evenly coated with the spicy tomato sauce.
- Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring gently until cheese begins to melt and create a creamy texture throughout the dish.
- Remove skillet from heat and dollop sour cream on top, gently swirling it into the pasta for added richness and tang.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, serving the pasta hot and directly from the skillet for maximum flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the dish’s zesty southwestern essence.
- Control spice levels by selecting mild Rotel tomatoes or adding a pinch of cayenne for those craving extra heat and excitement.
- Enhance protein content by sprinkling additional cheese or mixing in black beans for a more substantial and nutritionally balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg