Creamy Rotel Pasta Fiesta
A comforting one-pot dish featuring creamy cheese sauce, hearty meat, and vibrant veggies, perfect for family nights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Penne Pasta (Can substitute with rigatoni or ziti)
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Try ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 lb Ground Sausage (Use Italian sausage for extra zest or omit for a milder dish)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (Shallots are a great substitute)
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper (Swap for green bell for a sharper flavor)
- 1 medium Yellow Bell Pepper (Can be replaced with another colored bell pepper)
- 1 can Rotel Tomatoes (undrained) (Regular diced tomatoes can work in a pinch)
- 16 oz Velveeta Cheese (Substitute with shredded sharp cheddar mixed with heavy cream)
- 1 cup Milk (Almond or oat milk can be used for a dairy-free version)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder (Feel free to omit if using fresh onions)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (Swap in fresh garlic, sautéed with onions, for more robust flavor)
Instructions
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the meat and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the can of undrained Rotel tomatoes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Reduce the heat, then add the Velveeta cheese and milk to the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is well combined.
- Fold in the cooked pasta, making sure it’s coated in the cheesy mixture.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Notes
Consider adding black beans or corn for extra texture. Mix and match meats and cheese based on preference.