Description
Gather the family around this Creamy Rotel Pasta Bake, bursting with cheesy goodness and packed with flavor—perfect for dinner! This delightful casserole combines pasta, cheese, and the unmistakable tang of Rotel tomatoes for a comforting dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (rotini or penne)
Rotel Tomatoes
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes
Cheese
- 2 cups cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack or your favorite melting cheese)
Cream Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
Sour Cream
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your Creamy Rotel Pasta Bake cooks evenly and achieves that golden bubbly top.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water for later if needed.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, and half of the cheese. Stir until everything is fully incorporated.
- Season to Taste: Add in the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to match your personal taste preferences.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top it off with the remaining cheese, ensuring a delicious cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake It Up: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-browning.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking to al dente prevents mushiness after baking.
- Use Quality Cheese: Higher quality cheese melts better and adds richer flavor.
- Experiment with Toppings: A sprinkle of breadcrumbs or chopped jalapeños before baking can add a delightful crunch.
- Let It Rest: Allow the bake to sit for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven to set up for easier serving.
- Double the Recipe: This recipe is great for feeding a crowd or for meal prep; simply double the ingredients!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg