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Loaded Cheesy Rotel Pasta Bake with Bacon

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This loaded cheesy Rotel pasta bake with bacon is a creamy, savory comfort food packed with gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and a spicy kick from Rotel tomatoes. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or family dinners, it’s easy to customize and guaranteed to please a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni (any short pasta)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon (about 200g), cooked and crumbled
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole, 2%, or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for topping)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (for greasing baking dish)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, chopped bell pepper or spinach, jalapeños, Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 7-9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble when cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. Stir in Rotel tomatoes (undrained), cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
  6. Add drained pasta to the cheese mixture, tossing gently until evenly coated.
  7. Pour the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle crumbled bacon and green onions evenly over the top. Add Parmesan cheese if desired.
  8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with extra green onions, red pepper flakes, or jalapeños if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, cook bacon separately for crispiness and slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness. Adjust spice level by choosing mild or hot Rotel and adding jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Double the recipe for batch cooking and freeze unbaked for up to a month. Substitute gluten-free pasta or dairy-free ingredients as needed. Let the bake rest before serving for cleaner slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta bake, cheesy pasta, Rotel, bacon, weeknight dinner, comfort food, casserole, easy recipe, family meal, spicy pasta

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/loaded-cheesy-rotel-pasta-bake-with-bacon-easy-weeknight-dinner-recipe/