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+ servings
Penne pasta and ground beef in a creamy sauce, being lifted out of a large pot with a wooden spoon.

Rotel Pasta

Hearty, creamy, and totally delicious, this one-pot meal will become a family favorite!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Recipe Makes: 6 servings
Approximate Cost: $2.75

Equipment

  • Large skillet with high sides
  • wooden spoon
  • large pot
  • colander

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large white onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup half-and-half (at room temperature)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth (or beef stock)
  • 1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes
  • 16 ounces dry penne pasta (plus water and salt to cook pasta)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • salt (to taste)
  • freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • fresh chopped parsley (optional, to garnish)

Instructions

  • Heat large skillet over medium heat. When pan is warm, add olive oil. Heat oil until hot and shimmery, then add diced onion. Sauté onion 5 minutes or until softened.
    Overhead view of sautéed onion in a large silver skillet with a large wooden spoon on a white background.
  • When onions have softened, add minced garlic to skillet. Sauté garlic, stirring constantly, 30 to 60 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
  • When garlic is fragrant, add ground bee and raise heat under skillet to medium-high. Cook and crumble ground beef until meat is browned with no pink remaining.
    Overhead view of sautéed onions and crumbled ground beef in a large silver skillet on a white table with a wooden spoon.
  • Add all-purpose flour, paprika, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper to ground beef mixture. Stir well to fully incorporate spices, then let mixture simmer 2 minutes.
    Overhead view of seasoned ground beef and sautéed onions in a large silver skillet with a wooden spoon on a white background.
  • Remove skillet from heat and pour in half-and-half. Stir to incorporate cream, then return skillet to heat and add vegetable broth and Rotel. Stir well to incorporate, then bring mixture to boil. When mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    Overhead view of a large silver skillet containing the ground beef cream sauce for Rotel pasta.
  • While ground beef mixture simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain noodles and set aside.
    Overhead view of cooked penne pasta in a colander resting over a large pot on a white tabletop.
  • After ground beef mixture has simmered 15 minutes, remove skillet from heat. Add softened cream cheese to skillet and stir until cream cheese has melted completely.
    Overhead view of a large silver skillet containing the ground beef cream sauce for Rotel pasta.
  • When cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, add pasta to skillet and stir to coat noodles in sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
    Overhead view of Rotel pasta with ground beef and a creamy sauce in a large silver skillet with 2 handles and a wooden spoon on a white tabletop.

Recipe Notes

  • Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Be sure your broth is gluten free.

Recipe costs provided are approximate. Actual cost per recipe & serving will vary by location, store, brand, etc. Approximate cost shown does not include costs for any optional ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 603kcal | Protein: 28g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 616mg | Total Carbs: 67g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Net Carbs: 63g | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 164mg
Cheap Cheap Eats recipe developed by Cheryl Malik