Cheesy Rotel Pasta Dish (Print version)

A creamy one-pot Cheesy Rotel Pasta Dish with ground beef, tender shells, tomatoes with green chiles, and a smooth cheese sauce.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta skillet

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
03 - 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
06 - 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
07 - 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium beef broth
08 - 12 oz (340 g) small shells, rotini, or elbow pasta
09 - 8 oz (225 g) Velveeta-style processed cheese, cubed
10 - 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk, plus more as needed
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

For serving

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or green onion
14 - Sour cream, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion, then cook for 6-8 minutes until the beef is browned and no pink remains. Drain excess grease if needed.
02 - Stir in the garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices smell toasty.
03 - Add the undrained tomatoes with green chiles, beef broth, and dry pasta. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender.
04 - Turn the heat to low. Stir in the cubed processed cheese, cheddar, and milk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add a splash more milk or broth if it feels too thick.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper only after the cheese has melted. Let the pasta rest off the heat for 3 minutes so the sauce settles around the noodles.
06 - Spoon into bowls and top with cilantro or green onion. Add sour cream if you like a cooler finish.

# Good to know:

01 - Use mild, regular, or hot diced tomatoes with green chiles to control the spice level.
02 - The sauce thickens as it sits, so loosen leftovers with milk or broth.
03 - Cook ground beef fully before adding the broth and pasta.

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