Description
A rich and comforting pasta dish made with tender penne, savory ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy Rotel tomato sauce with a mild kick. Perfect for busy weeknights and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the diced onion until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Stir in the undrained Rotel tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted and incorporated.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the creamy beef sauce.
- Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
- Use hot Rotel or add red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for more texture and nutrition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Freezing is possible, but the sauce texture may slightly change after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
