Rotel pasta is a simple 4 ingredient pasta casserole dish whipped up in your crock pot for the perfect weeknight meal!
Rotel pasta is an easy crock pot meal made with Velveeta, ground beef and Rotel. It will be a new family favorite! Whip up some corn fritters, 7 layer dip, and some homemade peanut butter cups for a full meal.
Rotel Pasta
Rotel Pasta
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Only 4 simple ingredients.
📌 The easiest crock pot meal ready when you are.
📌 Versatile! Change up the pasta or add in your favorite veggie!
Rotel Pasta Ingredients
- Ground beef – Browned and drained.
- Velveeta – Cubed.
- Rotel – Undrained.
- Pasta – We used cellentani but you could use any variety of short pasta like elbows, rotini or penne.
How do you make rotel pasta? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, cook the ground beef, drain the grease and place into the crock of your slow cooker.
⭐ Next, add in the cubed Velveeta and the can of Rotel.
⭐ Then, cook on low, stirring occasionally until the cheese has melted.
⭐ Finally, cook and drain the pasta according to the package directions. Add to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make this ahead of time?
This is a pretty simple meal to throw together but if you want to make it ahead, we recommend making the cheese sauce and storing that in the fridge ahead of time and stirring in the pasta when reheated and ready to serve.
What kind of meat should I use?
We used ground beef for this recipe but you could switch it up and use ground Italian sausage for a different flavor or ground chicken or turkey to make it a little healthier.
What if I don’t have any Velveeta on hand?
Velveeta will give you the most nostalgic and rich flavor, but block American cheese can be substituted as well.
Can I make Rotel pasta on the stove top?
Yes! If you want to skip the crock pot step, you could brown the meat and add the Velveeta and Rotel to the same pan, adding in the cooked pasta once the cheese sauce is melted and smooth.
Storage and leftovers
How long does Rotel pasta last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge 3-5 days. Add a little bit of milk when reheating to help thin out the Velveeta sauce.
Can I freeze Rotel pasta?
We don’t recommend freezing this dish, freezing velveeta can cause it to become grainy.
What is Rotel pasta?
Rotel pasta is a simple and delicious crock pot meal made with only four ingredients: ground beef, Velveeta cheese, Rotel (a brand of diced tomatoes and green chilies), and pasta. It is an easy-to-make weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Tips and tricks
✅ Throw in some red pepper flakes for a touch of added heat.
✅ Add cooked broccoli or some chopped bell peppers to amp up the flavor.
✅ Save cook time (and a few dishes) by making the entire dish on the stove top instead of in the crock pot.
✅ Try using Velveeta queso blanco for a completely different spin on the same dish!
Frequently asked questions
Is Rotel pasta a spicy dish?
The level of spiciness in Rotel pasta depends on the type of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) you use. If you prefer a milder version, you can use a “mild” variety of Rotel. If you like it spicy, opt for the “hot” version.
Can I add other seasonings to the dish?
Absolutely! While the recipe keeps it simple with four ingredients, you can enhance the flavor by adding your favorite seasonings. Common choices include garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
Can I make Rotel pasta vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version of Rotel pasta by omitting the ground beef. Instead, consider using plant-based ground meat alternatives or simply increasing the amount of veggies you add to the dish.
Can I use gluten-free pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, you can use gluten-free pasta instead of regular pasta. There are various gluten-free pasta options available in most grocery stores.
Can I add beans to the dish?
If you enjoy the combination of pasta and beans, you can certainly add drained and rinsed canned beans (e.g., black beans, pinto beans) to the dish. They can add extra protein and texture to the meal.
Can I use fresh tomatoes and chilies instead of canned Rotel?
While the recipe calls for canned Rotel, you can use fresh diced tomatoes and green chilies if you prefer. Just adjust the quantity and seasonings accordingly to match the flavor profile of the canned version.
What to eat with rotel pasta (serving suggestions)
Rotel pasta is a go-to weeknight meal for our family because it is so easy to throw together. We like to make it with garlic knots, air fryer broccoli, and instant pot rice pudding.
More delicious slow cooker meals
- Crockpot tater tot breakfast casserole
- Slow cooker chili mac
- Crockpot cube steak
- Crockpot stuffed shells
- Crockpot breakfast casserole
- See all our crock pot recipes!
Other awesome casserole dishes
- Dorito casserole
- Corn casserole
- Stuffed pepper casserole
- Mexican cornbread casserole
- Taco casserole
- Chicken fajita casserole
- See all our casserole recipes!
Tools we love
- Spatula – These ingredients are ooey gooey and sticky. You for sure want to be using a spatula to make sure you’re properly measuring and using all your ingredients.
- 7 Quart Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
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How to Make Rotel Pasta
Rotel Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
- 1 can Rotel 10 ounces, undrained
- 1 pound pasta we used cellentani
Instructions
- Place the cooked ground beef, cubed Velveeta, and can of Rotel into the crock of your slow cooker. Mix well to combine.
- Cook on low 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until cheese has melted.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain. Add to the slow cooker, and stir to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
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Rotel Pasta
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Erin says
This is one of those recipe you keep going back to again and again. A family favorite for sure! Easy too!
Andie says
This was the perfect throw-together dinner for busy summer days! My family loved it so much we’re adding it to our recipe rotation.
Olivia says
This is the perfect dinner to make when you don’t have a lot of time! It is so easy to throw together and tastes amazing too! A big hit with my family, thank you!
Margie says
Love your recipes. They are easy to follow and taste so good 😊 Thank you for sharing them.