Description
Mexican Rotel Pasta Fiesta delivers a spicy, cheesy comfort dish that combines zesty tomatoes and peppers with creamy pasta. Home cooks can quickly prepare this crowd-pleasing meal that brings southwestern flavors to the dinner table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 12 oz (340 g) penne, rotini, or favorite pasta, cooked and drained
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
- 1 (10 oz/283 g) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (mild or spicy)
- ¼ cup milk (more if needed to adjust consistency)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sliced jalapenos
Instructions
- Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Base: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil, and sauté onions and bell peppers until softened and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Protein Development: Introduce minced garlic and ground protein to the skillet, breaking meat into uniform crumbles. Cook thoroughly until meat browns completely and develops a rich caramelized exterior.
- Flavor Integration: Cascade Rotel tomatoes into the skillet, fold in corn kernels and black beans. Simmer the mixture, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify flavors for 8-10 minutes.
- Pasta Fusion: Combine cooked pasta with the protein-laden sauce, gently tossing to ensure every pasta strand is luxuriously coated with the vibrant, spice-infused mixture.
- Cheese Finale: Remove from heat, sprinkle shredded cheese over the dish, stirring until cheese melts into a smooth, glossy coating that envelops the entire preparation.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer to serving plates and garnish with additional cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream, or avocado slices to elevate the culinary experience.
Notes
Optimize Pasta Cooking: Salt water generously and cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring each strand maintains a slight bite and perfect texture.
Prevent Meat Overcooking: Break ground protein into small, consistent crumbles and cook over moderate heat, avoiding high temperatures that could dry out the meat and lose moisture.
Enhance Flavor Layering: Allow Rotel tomatoes and vegetables to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors before introducing pasta, creating a more robust and integrated taste profile.
Dietary Flexibility: Easily transform this dish for various dietary needs by substituting ground protein with plant-based crumbles, using gluten-free pasta, or incorporating vegetarian protein alternatives like quinoa or lentils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg