Spicy Rotel Pasta Fiesta Recipe: A Lively Family Favorite

Dive into a zesty world where rotel pasta fiesta recipe sparks pure culinary magic on your dinner table.

Spicy, cheesy, and irresistibly creamy, this dish promises a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance.

Packed with bold southwestern-inspired ingredients, the recipe brings restaurant-quality comfort directly to your kitchen.

Melted cheese mingles with tangy rotel tomatoes, creating a symphony of tastes that feels both familiar and exciting.

Each forkful promises a delightful mix of textures and vibrant spices that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Sharp cheddar and tender pasta form the perfect backdrop for this crowd-pleasing meal.

Get ready to become the dinner hero with this simple yet spectacular dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 525 kcal

Servings: 7

Rotel Pasta Fiesta Ingredient

• Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that captures the zesty sauce perfectly, choose short noodles like penne or rotini for maximum flavor absorption.

• Ground Chuck, Ground Beef: Rich, flavorful meat that provides hearty texture and protein punch, choose 80/20 blend for optimal juiciness.
• Onions, Bell Peppers: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and sweetness, select crisp, vibrant peppers and firm onions for maximum crunch.

• Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy canned tomatoes that inject vibrant southwestern kick, look for original or mild version depending on heat preference.
• Velveeta Blanco, Velveeta Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates silky smooth sauce, select fresh block for best melting consistency.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Luxurious liquid that adds richness and binds sauce together, choose high-fat content cream for ultimate smoothness.
• Shredded Cheese: Melty topping that adds extra cheesy layer, select blend of cheddar and monterey jack for complex flavor profile.
• Seasonings: Flavor-enhancing spices that elevate dish's taste, ensure spices are fresh and fragrant for maximum impact.

Tools to Prepare Your Cheesy, Spicy Pasta Dish

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning meat, sautéing vegetables, and mixing all ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and bell peppers.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing vegetables and cubing cheese.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding accurate amounts of seasonings.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for shredding additional cheese topping.
• Lid: Used to cover skillet and melt final cheese layer.

Steps to Cook Up This Bold Pasta Party

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta until perfectly tender, then drain and set to the side.

• Meat Foundation

Brown ground beef in a large skillet, carefully removing excess fat for a cleaner dish.

• Vegetable Harmony

Toss chopped onions and bell peppers into the skillet, cooking until they become soft and fragrant.

• Spicy Tomato Infusion

Introduce Rotel tomatoes and selected seasonings, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors.

• Cheese Transformation

Reduce heat and gently fold cubed Velveeta cheeses into the skillet, stirring until a luxurious, creamy sauce emerges.

• Cream Fusion

Stream heavy whipping cream into the skillet, blending seamlessly with the existing mixture.

• Pasta and Sauce Marriage

Combine cooked pasta with the decadent sauce, ensuring every noodle is lovingly coated.

• Final Cheese Flourish

Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, cover, and let it melt into a gooey, irresistible finish.

Tips to Tame or Crank the Heat

• Kick the heat by adding diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to match your spice tolerance.
• Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of cream to restore sauce consistency.
• Substitute ground chuck with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.
• Toss in additional vegetables like corn, black beans, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add extra texture to the pasta fiesta.

Serving Ideas for Pasta with Kick

• Comfort Food Gathering: Serve this hearty Rotel Pasta Fiesta at family dinners or potluck parties where everyone craves a delicious, cheesy comfort meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Flair: Top with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to add brightness and extra flavor layers.
• Pair with Perfect Sides: Complement the pasta with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Make it Spicy Optional: Place hot sauce or red pepper flakes on the table so guests can customize their heat level and enjoy personalized flavor intensity.

Keeping Pasta Fiesta Ready to Reheat

• Refrigerate Quickly: Cool the pasta dish completely before storing in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Later: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Separate portions for easy reheating and convenience.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen pasta in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Smart Serving Suggestions: Prepare extra servings for quick weeknight meals. Side dishes like garlic bread or crisp salad complement this hearty pasta perfectly.

Spicy Rotel Pasta Fiesta Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy Rotel pasta fiesta delivers a zesty Tex-Mex flavor explosion with simple ingredients. Spicy cheese sauce and tender noodles create a quick weeknight dinner that will satisfy hungry families.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground chuck
• 8 oz (226 g) pasta noodles
• 10 oz (283 g) Rotel tomatoes
• 8 oz (226 g) Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 4 oz (113 g) Blanco Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 tsp Accent
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve in a separate bowl, ensuring optimal texture for the final dish.
2. Meat Foundation: Crumble ground chuck in a large skillet over medium-high heat, browning completely and eliminating any pink traces. Drain excess fat using a colander to maintain a lean base.
3. Vegetable Infusion: Sauté finely chopped onions and diced bell peppers with the browned meat, developing a fragrant and flavorful foundation. Cook until vegetables become translucent and tender.
4. Sauce Development: Introduce Rotel tomatoes and selected seasonings to the skillet, stirring to distribute evenly. Simmer for 5 minutes to concentrate and meld the robust flavors.
5. Cheese Fusion: Reduce heat and incorporate Velveeta and Blanco Velveeta cheeses, stirring continuously until completely melted into a silky, uniform sauce. Gradually stream heavy whipping cream, whisking to create a luxurious, integrated mixture.
6. Final Assembly: Fold prepared pasta into the spicy, creamy sauce, ensuring each noodle is generously coated. Top with a layer of shredded cheese, then cover and let residual heat melt the cheese for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove all excess fat from ground chuck to prevent a greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Stir continuously when adding Velveeta cheeses to achieve a smooth, lump-free sauce without scorching.
• Pasta Coating Strategy: Use tongs or a large spoon to evenly distribute the spicy sauce, guaranteeing each pasta strand is fully coated with flavor.
• Cheese Topping Trick: Allow residual heat to melt the final cheese layer gently, creating a perfectly melted, glossy top without additional cooking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg