Baked Cheesy Rotel Pasta Ultimate
This baked cheesy Rotel pasta is the ultimate comfort food, featuring perfectly cooked pasta coated in a flavorful ground beef and Rotel tomato sauce, topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. It's an easy-to-make and customizable dish that's sure to please a crowd.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet
- Dutch oven (optional)
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden Spoon
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta rotini, penne, or your favorite shape
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Rotel tomatoes (undrained), cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the ground beef mixture.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pasta.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pasta is heated through.
- Let the Baked Cheesy Rotel Pasta stand for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the ground beef mixture, or use hot Rotel. Make sure the cream cheese is softened before adding it to the skillet for even melting. The dish can be assembled a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake, adding extra baking time as needed. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Use freshly grated cheese for better melting.