Description
This Chipotle Cream Cheese Swirl Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight meal. It combines a smoky chipotle kick with a luscious cream cheese swirl and cheddar for a crowd-pleasing experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g (9oz) Penne Pasta
- 400g (14oz) Ground Beef
- 150g (5oz) Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp (5g) Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp (5g) Smoked Paprika
- 1 can (400g / 14oz) Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- 200ml (¾ cup) Heavy Cream
- 150g (5oz) Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 120g (4oz) Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo, minced + 1 tbsp (15ml) Adobo Sauce
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Lime Juice
- 2 tbsp (30g) Parmesan Cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves for garnish
- 1 tbsp (8g) Toasted Cumin Seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook penne pasta until al dente, drain, and rinse.
- Brown Beef: Cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic, cumin, and paprika.
- Simmer with Rotel: Add Rotel tomatoes and simmer for 4 minutes.
- Make Cheesy Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and cheddar until melted and smooth.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: Blend cream cheese, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and lime juice.
- Combine and Coat: Fold cream cheese mixture into sauce, then add pasta and toss.
- Swirl and Bake: Transfer to baking dish, swirl cream cheese, and top with cheddar. Bake until bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let rest, garnish with cilantro and cumin seeds, and serve.
Notes
Using softened cream cheese is key for a smooth swirl. Adjust chipotle pepper amount to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg