Description
This creamy Rotel pasta bake is a flavorful and comforting casserole featuring tender pasta mixed with savory ground beef or turkey, spicy Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, and a rich blend of sour cream and melted cheeses. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients into a cheesy, golden-baked dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or elbow macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they soften and become fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Brown Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add Rotel Tomatoes: Stir in the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies into the meat mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix in Dairy: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the sour cream, along with half (1/2 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese and half (1/2 cup) of the Monterey Jack cheese until well combined.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy cheese and tomato mixture.
- Assemble Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped cilantro if desired, and serve warm for a delicious, creamy pasta bake.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or omit for a vegetarian version by adding sautéed mushrooms or extra veggies.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- Sour cream adds great creaminess but can be swapped with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier taste and added protein.
- Adding chopped jalapeños or hot sauce can spice up the bake more according to preference.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
