Easy Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta Recipe To Love

Hearty pasta dishes that combine creamy rotel tomato and sausage create magic in kitchens everywhere.

Spicy sausage chunks mingle with vibrant tomatoes, promising a meal that sparks conversation.

Comfort meets excitement in this simple yet remarkable recipe.

Zesty flavors dance across your plate, inviting everyone to savor each delicious bite.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation make this dish perfect for busy nights.

Cheese melts into a luxurious sauce that wraps around pasta like a warm embrace.

You’ll want to make this recipe again and again, sharing its delightful goodness with everyone around your table.

Why People Love Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Sizzle with Flavor: This recipe delivers a bold, spicy kick from Italian sausage and Rotel tomatoes, creating a mouthwatering combination that'll make taste buds dance.
• Conquer the Kitchen: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this one-pan wonder requires minimal cooking techniques and offers maximum deliciousness with straightforward steps.
• Quick Comfort Meal: Requires just a few basic ingredients and can be prepared from start to finish in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Packed with creamy cheese, hearty sausage, and a touch of heat, this pasta dish appeals to both adults and kids, guaranteeing clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.

What You Need For Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds a robust and spicy base to the sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, creamy texture and smooth consistency to the dish.

• Heavy Cream, Cheddar Cheese: Create a luxurious and velvety sauce with deep, cheesy flavor.

• Pasta: The hearty foundation of the recipe that absorbs the creamy sauce.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a zesty and slightly spicy kick to the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and provides a subtle, smooth base flavor.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces an herbal and earthy note to the dish.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal finish.

How To Make Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water following package instructions until perfectly tender. Drain and keep a small amount of pasta water on the side.

Step 2: Brown Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break Italian sausage into the pan and cook until completely browned with no pink remaining.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic

Add minced garlic to the sausage and quickly sauté for about 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes

Lower heat to medium-low and mix in Rotel tomatoes with the sausage and garlic. Let the mixture simmer briefly.

Step 5: Melt Cream Cheese

Drop cream cheese cubes into the skillet, stirring until they start melting and blending with the sausage and tomatoes.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

• Dried oregano
• Black pepper
• Salt

Stir thoroughly to develop a smooth, velvety sauce.

Step 7: Incorporate Cheese

Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until completely melted and sauce becomes consistent.

Step 8: Combine Pasta

Gently toss cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every piece gets coated with the creamy sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.

Step 9: Garnish

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the pasta for a vibrant finishing touch.

Step 10: Serve Hot

Plate immediately, making sure each serving is generously covered with the rich, spicy, creamy sauce.

Helpful Ideas For Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Pasta Water Power: Reserve some starchy cooking water to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind perfectly.
• Sausage Sizzling Tip: Break Italian sausage into tiny pieces while cooking for even browning and maximum flavor distribution.
• Garlic Guardian: Watch garlic closely during sautéing to prevent burning, which creates bitter undertones in the dish.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Add cheese gradually and stir continuously to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce integration.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to maintain vibrant color and add a fresh flavor burst.

Tasty Twists On Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or crumbled tofu seasoned with Italian herbs for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced fresh jalapeños or swap Rotel for spicier fire-roasted tomatoes to increase heat level and complexity of flavor.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Substitute traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that maintains the dish's creamy texture and rich taste.

What To Eat With Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Zinfandel or Chianti to complement the spicy sausage and rich, creamy sauce, cutting through the heaviness while enhancing the dish's complex flavor profile.
• Create Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's richness, adding a refreshing contrast and palate-cleansing acidity.
• Match with Garlic Bread: Toast crusty Italian bread brushed with olive oil and rubbed with fresh garlic to soak up the delectable sauce, providing a perfect textural accompaniment.
• Serve with Chilled Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can stand up to the spicy sausage and creamy elements, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the meal's intensity.

How To Store Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool pasta completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces, as they might separate upon thawing.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent dryness.

Questions About Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta

• Is this dish spicy?

The heat comes from the Italian sausage and Rotel tomatoes, which typically have mild to medium spiciness. You can control the heat by choosing mild Rotel or switching to regular diced tomatoes.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Absolutely! Ground beef, turkey sausage, or even chorizo work great. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked and crumbled before adding other ingredients.

• What if I don't have heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce might be slightly less rich and creamy. For a lighter version, try using milk and adding a bit of cornstarch to thicken.

Creamy Rotel Tomato And Sausage Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty “creamy rotel tomato and sausage pasta” delivers bold Southern comfort with zesty spices and rich flavors. Comfort meets convenience in this one-pot wonder you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 16 oz penne pasta or rotini
• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
• 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble Italian sausage into the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until thoroughly browned and no pink remains.
3. Mince garlic and add to the sausage, sautéing for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in Rotel tomatoes, stirring to combine with the sausage and garlic. Allow mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to the skillet, stirring until it begins to melt and integrate with the sausage and tomatoes.
6. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, then sprinkle in dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
7. Gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until completely melted and sauce becomes uniform in texture.
8. Add cooked pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. If sauce seems too thick, incorporate a bit of reserved pasta water.
9. Chop fresh parsley and sprinkle over the pasta just before serving, providing a bright, fresh garnish.
10. Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion is generously coated with the rich, spicy, and creamy sauce.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes to match personal spice preferences.
• Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that maintains similar flavor profiles.
• Create a gluten-free version by using alternative pasta made from chickpea, lentil, or rice flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Balance sauce consistency by reserving pasta water, which helps achieve perfect creaminess and prevents potential dryness during mixing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg