Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef – Easy 30‑Minute Weeknight Dinner

Looking for a creamy, satisfying pasta dinner that comes together fast? Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef is a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family dinner time. With simple ingredients, bold tomato and chili flavor from Rotel, and rich sauce balanced by Parmesan and cream, this dish earns its place in your regular dinner rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Rotel Pasta Recipe

This Rotel pasta recipe checks all the boxes for a great family meal. It’s quick to make in under an hour, uses pantry staples, and delivers creamy, comforting flavor with a touch of spice. It’s versatile too — you can serve it with crusty bread or a fresh salad, and it’s easy to adjust the heat level to suit your taste.

What You’ll Need

To make this Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef, gather:

• Pasta: Rigatoni works great, but any shape will do.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a tangy tomato flavor with green chilies.
• Lean Ground Beef: A hearty protein base.
• Heavy Cream & Parmesan Cheese: For a rich, creamy sauce.
• Cajun Seasoning, Onion & Garlic: Builds savory flavor.
• Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Parsley: For seasoning and garnish.

Feel free to swap ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat, and use half-and-half if you don’t have heavy cream on hand.

How to Make Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef

1. Cook the Pasta:
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
2. Sauté Aromatics:
   In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and cook chopped onion until soft, then add garlic and sauté briefly.
3. Brown the Beef:
   Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
4. Build the Sauce:
   Stir in the Rotel tomatoes, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for a few minutes.
5. Add Cream & Cheese:
   Pour in the cream and a bit of reserved pasta water, then stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
6. Combine Pasta & Sauce:
   Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Use more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
7. Serve:
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve right away with garlic bread or a side salad.

Storage & Reheating Tips

• Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to three days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to revive the sauce.
• Freezing isn’t recommended since cream-based sauces may separate when thawed.

Other Delicious Dinner Ideas

Love hearty pasta dinners? You might also enjoy these recipes from our site:

• For another quick and cozy ground beef pasta idea, check out the Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef
• If creamy pasta is your thing, try our CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, made with Rotel and lots of gooey cheese
• Craving more comfort food? This Italian Meatloaf Recipe is another family-friendly option

Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy, comforting, and loaded with flavor, this Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef is the perfect 30-minute dinner made with pantry staples and just the right amount of spice.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz pasta (rigatoni or preferred shape)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
4. Stir in Rotel tomatoes, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Reduce heat and pour in heavy cream and a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir until smooth and combined.
6. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.
7. Fold in cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with bread or salad.

Notes

Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Adjust spice level by choosing mild or hot Rotel. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of cream when reheating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 730mg
• Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Final Thoughts

Rotel Pasta With Ground Beef brings together rich, creamy sauce and savory seasoned beef in under an hour — making it a go-to recipe when you want comfort without the hassle. It’s the kind of dinner you can whip up when you’re low on time but still want something totally satisfying. Give it a try and let it earn its spot in your weeknight meal rotation.