Rotel Pasta is a quick and cozy meal that combines the zesty flavors of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles with creamy, melted Velveeta cheese and tender pasta. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. The combination of simple ingredients and easy cooking steps makes this dish a go-to, and a great substitute to boxed hamburger helper style dinners!
Why You’ll Love Rotel Pasta
There are many reasons to love this recipe! It’s incredibly easy to make, and takes just a few simple ingredients, plus very little effort. The result is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor, sure to become one of your new favorites.
Plus, it’s versatile enough to allow for various substitutions and additions, so you can tailor it to your family’s taste. I first saw a similar viral recipe on Tiktok, but ended up tweaking quite a few things to make a creamy Rotel pasta that’s even easier to throw together!
Email This Recipe?
Get this recipe emailed to your inbox + all of our latest delivered straight to you!
I love cooking with Rotel because it brings so much flavor in every can. My family likes flavor, but we don’t like our dinners to be overly spicy, so we choose to use Mild Rotel in our recipe. If you like some heat, you can use Original, or Hot Rotel.
How to Make Rotel Pasta
Making Rotel Pasta is a breeze. It involves cooking pasta and a cheese sauce in which all the flavors of meat, tomatoes, and spices come together beautifully. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to gather:
Ingredients
Olive Oil: Used to cook the ground beef. You can omit the oil if you’re using ground beef with adequate fat content.
Ground Beef: The meaty heart of the dish, ground beef adds richness and depth. Lean ground beef is preferred to keep the dish lighter, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Penne Pasta: This shape of pasta is ideal for hearty sauces as it holds the cheese well. Its ridges catch more of the sauce, delivering maximum flavor with every bite.
Ro-Tel Mild Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: The star of the show, this can of Rotel brings a vibrant, spicy kick to the pasta, enhancing the dish with a mild spicy flavor. Please note, while the recipe calls for Mild Rotel, you can spice it up by choosing the Original or Hot versions!
Velveeta Cheese: This cheese melts beautifully, creating a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Mild Cheddar Cheese: Adds a slightly sharper cheese flavor to the mix, complementing the Velveeta with its fine texture.
Whole Milk: Helps to thin out the cheese sauce, making it rich and creamy without being too heavy.
Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These provide a quick and easy way to add depth and warmth to the dish.
Dried Oregano: Adds a touch of herbal-depth to enhance the flavor of the beef.
Chopped Parsley or Cilantro: An optional garnish that adds a fresh, herby finish to the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. You can add a bit of olive oil if you’d like, to prevent sticking.
Step Two: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef seasoned with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
Step Three: To the skillet with the beef, add the Rotel tomatoes, whole milk, cubed Velveeta cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheeses are melted and the mixture comes to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Step Four: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
Step Five: If desired, garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley before serving to add a touch of freshness.
Substitutions and Variations
Rotel Pasta is adaptable to various tastes and dietary preferences. Here are a few suggestions:
- Meat Variations: Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese Options: If Velveeta isn’t your style, try using a combination of cream cheese and shredded Mexican cheese for a similar creamy texture.
- Add Veggies: Stir in chopped bell peppers or green onions for added crunch and color.
- Spice It Up: For those who like it hot, use spicy Rotel tomatoes (choose Original Ro-Tel or Hot Ro-Tel) or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to increase the heat level.
- More Cheese: For an even cheesier dish, add an additional cup of cheese and bake at 350 F for 5 minutes to melt.
Best Tips
- Pasta Water: Reserve a cup of pasta water to adjust the thickness of your cheese sauce if necessary. The starchy water helps the sauce cling to the pasta beautifully. I find that the milk called for in the recipe is just right, but it’s good to have the pasta water on hand just in case.
- Cheese Tips: Make sure you take time to cube the Velveeta cheese in small, 1/2″ to 1″ pieces for quicker melting.
- Simmering: Allow the sauce to simmer just long enough to thicken slightly and develop flavors without becoming too thick. Also, keep a close eye on the heat so you don’t scorch the cheese sauce.
- Reheating: When reheating leftover Rotel pasta, adding a splash of milk can help revive the creamy texture of the sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve this dish with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad to round out the meal. You can also jazz it up with some cubed avocado or a dollop of sour cream.
How to Store Rotel Pasta
To keep leftover Rotel Pasta tasting fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to three days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! You can really use any type of pasta you like. There are no limits. Other good pasta choices would be elbows, rotini, rigatoni, or even large shells.
Can I make Rotel Pasta in advance?
Yes, you can prepare Rotel Pasta ahead of time. Simply cook the pasta and sauce, then store them separately in the fridge. Combine and reheat when ready to serve, adjusting the consistency as needed with a little extra milk.
Is Rotel Pasta freezer-friendly?
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to freeze it, do so before adding the cheese. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add fresh cheese when reheating for the best texture and flavor.
Can I use a Crock Pot to make this Rotel Pasta recipe?
While I would not recommend cooking this dish in a slow cooker, a crock pot is a great way to keep the pasta warm if serving at a gathering. Cook the pasta and sauce as directed, then combine in the crock pot on a low setting to keep warm until serving.
My easy Rotel Pasta recipe is perfect for a quick meal that the whole family will enjoy. With just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes, you can have a delicious, creamy pasta dish ready to fill some hungry bellies.
More Easy Dinners
Rotel Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 8 oz. penne pasta uncooked (2 cups)
- 1 can (10 ounces) Mild Rotel undrained (if you like spicy, use Original or Hot Rotel)
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper freshly cracked
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- Chopped parsley or cilantro optional garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, and garlic powder. Cook, breaking up the meat and stirring, until the meat is browned. Drain excess oil.
- Add the Mild Rotel, milk, Velveeta cheese, and shredded cheese. Stir until well-combined and fully melted. Bring to a boil and then immediately reduce heat. Simmer 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken a bit.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Optionally, garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
Notes
Save This Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send it straight to you + get all our latest recipes.
Nutrition
Did you make this?
I would love to hear from you! Make sure to leave your review below and follow on Pinterest for more!
Super easy and tasty! I made Texas Toast to go with ours.