Rotel Pasta

This quick and easy creamy Rotel Pasta is perfect for a busy night!

4 from 2 votes

Print Pin

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings: servings

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

1 pound penne pasta
½ cup reserved pasta water
1 pound Italian sausage
2 tablespoons butter
½ medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup half and half
1 cup heavy cream
2 10 oz Rotel
4 ounces cream cheese cubed
1 ½ cups shredded cheese Mexican blend is best but use whatever
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later.
In a large skillet crumble the Italian sausage and cook over medium heat until no longer pink.
Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Remove excess fat from pan.
Add the 2 tablespoons butter and diced onion. Cook until onion starts to soften. Add in minced garlic, stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir and cook for a minute to remove the raw flour taste. Pour in heavy cream, half and half, and both cans Rotel.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the spices, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. Cook while stirring until the cream cheese and shredded cheese is melted.
Add the cooked sausage and pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine everything.
Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water for maximum flavor.

If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with some pasta water while it's still in the skillet.

Swap with chicken for a Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Recipe!

If you want to sneak in extra veggies, try using green bell peppers! They blend well with the Rotel tomato mixture, and you won’t even know they’re there.

Not a fan of spicy? Try creating your own mild rotel mixture! This allows you to control the amount of green chilies that are in it, so you can add a little bit or a lot.

Leftover chicken tastes amazing in this cheesy sauce, so I recommend trying it at least once.

Nutrition