Description
A creamy, cheesy pasta dish packed with ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and a rich blend of cheeses. Perfect comfort food with a spicy twist and bold Southern flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ box rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese
- ½ block cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (mild or hot)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 jalapeño (optional)
- 2 green onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup reserved pasta water
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- Creole seasoning (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Cook rotini in salted water until al dente. Reserve ⅓ cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef. When nearly done, add diced onions and jalapeño (if using). Sauté for 2–3 minutes. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, Creole seasoning, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Remove beef from skillet and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In the same pan, add olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and heat on medium-low. Add cubed Velveeta and cream cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Combine: Stir in the Rotel tomatoes and sliced green onions. Return the cooked beef to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat in the cheese sauce. Add pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Serve: Top with extra shredded Colby Jack and green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
You can use hot Rotel for extra spice. Add more cheese or a dash of hot sauce for extra richness. For a one-pot version, use an oven-safe skillet and finish under the broiler with melted cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg