Creamy Rotel Tex-Mex Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty pasta with beef, Rotel tomatoes, and cheese in a creamy Tex-Mex sauce—ready in about 30 minutes.

# What You’ll Need to Cook:

→ Pasta

01 - 450 g penne pasta

→ Sauce Base

02 - 450 g lean ground beef
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tomatoes and Chilies

05 - 2 cans (284 g each) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), drained

→ Liquids and Dairy

06 - 240 ml beef broth
07 - 160 ml heavy whipping cream
08 - 140 g cream cheese

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
14 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Thickener

15 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
16 - 1 tablespoon water

→ Finishing

17 - 200 g mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated
18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
19 - Sliced jalapeno (optional, for garnish)

# Steps to Prepare:

01 - Boil penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble lean ground beef with diced onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 8 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
04 - Stir in drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl until fully combined, then pour into the sauce mixture.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and stir occasionally until cream cheese has melted and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir in grated cheddar cheese until fully melted.
07 - Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly until all pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
08 - Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeno if desired.

# Extra Cooking Tips:

01 - For best results, cook pasta al dente to preserve texture in the creamy sauce.
02 - Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and prevents graininess in the sauce.
03 - Add a squeeze of lime or sprinkle of green onions before serving to brighten flavor.

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