Description
Hearty, cheesy, and packed with bold flavor, this *Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef* is a quick dinner recipe you’ll want on repeat. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses pantry staples like rotini pasta, ground beef, and spicy Rotel tomatoes to create a comforting meal in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re meal-prepping, feeding the family, or just need quick dinner ideas, this easy recipe delivers every time. It also makes great leftovers, making it one of our favorite budget-friendly food ideas.
Ingredients
226g rotini pasta
450g ground beef
1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned. Break it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion and garlic to the beef. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
4. Stir in the can of Rotel tomatoes (do not drain). Simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the mixture and stir gently until melted and creamy.
6. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.
Add a splash of cream for extra richness, or stir in cooked spinach for more greens.
Use your favorite pasta shape—penne, shells, or macaroni all work great.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: quick dinner, rotel pasta, easy pasta recipe, ground beef recipe, cheesy pasta