A spicy, creamy pasta dish made with seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and melty cheese. This quick comfort food is perfect for weeknights and packs bold flavor in every bite.
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow)
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes (with chilies, undrained)
1 tbsp taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or green onions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
In a skillet, heat olive oil and brown the ground beef. Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic.
Pour in Rotel and taco seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Reduce heat and stir in cream cheese until melted. Add heavy cream and shredded cheese. Stir until smooth.
Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Simmer briefly to combine.
Garnish and serve hot.