Cheesy Rotel Pasta Dish

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Quick and cheesy chicken pasta casserole with Rotel tomatoes, rotisserie chicken, and a smooth, spicy sauce. Ready fast and super satisfying.
Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Sun, 04 May 2025 12:23:31 GMT
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Chicken Pasta Bake with Rotel | lilicooks.com

I've whipped up this chicken spaghetti with Rotel countless times since finding it last year. It's now my fallback when I need a stress-free dinner that still looks like I tried! The mix of creamy sauce, soft chicken, and that nice kick from the Rotel makes this super comfy meal that somehow tastes better when you eat the leftovers.

My hubby gets all excited whenever he catches me pulling apart a rotisserie chicken because he knows what's coming! And my fussy nephew who "can't stand casseroles" wolfed down two full plates of this.

Ingredients Needed

  • Rotisserie chicken: This timesaver changes everything. Grab one from the grocery store, though Costco offers the best bang for your buck.
  • Spaghetti: Standard spaghetti does the job perfectly, but I've used the thin version when that's all I had.
  • Rotel tomatoes: The key ingredient that gives this dish its character! Original works for me, but go with mild if you're feeding kids or people who don't like heat.
  • Cream of chicken soup: Try to find the herbed version for extra taste. Don't worry about splurging - store brands work just as well.
  • Sour cream: Creates that wonderful tangy creaminess that makes the sauce stand out.
  • Cheese: Mexican blend melts wonderfully and tastes great. If you can grate it yourself, it'll melt better than the pre-shredded stuff.
  • Cajun seasoning: Pulls everything together! Tony Chachere's is my pick, but any type works fine.
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Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel Recipe | lilicooks.com

Cooking Instructions

Efficient Setup

Always get the pasta water going first since it takes longest. While waiting for it to bubble, I pull the chicken apart and mix the sauce, so everything's ready when the pasta finishes cooking.

Keeping Chicken Juicy

Mixing the pulled chicken with some chicken broth and spices works wonders - it stops the chicken from drying out while baking and spreads that cajun flavor all through the meat.

Getting Sauce Right

Keep the Rotel juice! Those liquids pack tons of flavor into your sauce. I stir everything thoroughly to break up any soup chunks before mixing with the pasta.

Foil Strategy

Don't forget to spray the foil with cooking spray before covering your casserole - it's super important or you'll lose half your cheese when you pull off the foil!

I first cooked this when my neighbor had surgery and needed something easy to reheat. She loved it so much she asked for my recipe before she'd even finished getting better!

What To Serve With It

This dish fills you up on its own, but I often add a basic green salad with tangy dressing to balance the richness. Garlic bread pairs perfectly if you're feeding really hungry folks. For bigger gatherings, I sometimes make two smaller batches - one spicy and one mild.

Tasty Twists

Throw in some drained corn for sweetness and bright color. Mix in cooked bell peppers and onions for extra veggies. Switch to pepper jack cheese instead of Mexican blend if you want more heat. Use leftover holiday turkey when you're sick of turkey sandwiches.

Saving Leftovers

This stuff freezes so well! I pack leftovers into single-serving containers for grab-and-go lunches. To warm up frozen portions, thaw them overnight in your fridge then microwave with a splash of milk or broth to keep the creaminess. For bigger portions, cover with foil and warm at 350°F until hot throughout.

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Delicious Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel Recipe | lilicooks.com

Helpful Hints

  • Snap the spaghetti in half before boiling for easier stirring and serving
  • Save some pasta water to loosen up the sauce if it gets too thick
  • Use a clear glass dish so you can watch for those perfectly golden bubbly edges

This chicken spaghetti has saved me so many times when I'm worn out but still want something homemade and comforting. There's something special about that mix of creamy sauce, tender pasta, juicy chicken and slight heat from the Rotel that makes it taste like it took way more work than it actually did!

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I try other types of pasta?
Sure! Medium-sized shapes like penne, farfalle, or rotini work just as great if spaghetti isn’t an option.
→ Does this come out too spicy?
It’s got a little heat, but you can cut back on the Cajun spices and chili flakes to dial it down.
→ Is it okay to prep this in advance?
Yes, you can put it together a day before. Stick it in the fridge and just bake a little longer when ready.
→ How do I reheat leftovers?
Add a splash of chicken broth to your portion before reheating to keep the pasta moist and tasty.
→ Can I sub in regular diced tomatoes?
That works, but toss in a can of green chilies to give it a similar flavor boost.

Rotel Chicken Pasta

A creamy baked pasta dish featuring shredded chicken, tangy Rotel tomatoes, loads of cheese, and a mild Cajun kick.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
40 min
Overall Time
55 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 6 Serves (1 9x13 casserole)

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 cup chicken broth, separated into portions
02 4 cups shredded or chunked rotisserie chicken
03 1 (10 oz) can of Rotel tomatoes with chilies, not drained
04 1 cup sour cream
05 12 oz uncooked spaghetti
06 2 (10.5 oz each) cans of herb-flavored cream of chicken soup
07 3 cups Mexican blend cheese or similar, grated
08 4 minced garlic cloves

→ Seasonings

09 3 tablespoons cajun seasoning, used in separate steps
10 ½ teaspoon coarse salt for seasoning
11 Dash of red pepper flakes
12 ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
13 Parsley (dry) as a garnish

→ Homemade Cajun Seasoning (Optional)

14 1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
15 Write ½ a teaspoon of dried oregano
16 2 teaspoons powdered garlic
17 ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
18 1 tablespoon onion powder
19 1 teaspoon sea salt
20 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
21 1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Steps

Step 01

Set oven to 375°F. Heat a big pot of water and cook spaghetti based on the package instructions.

Step 02

Remove bones from the chicken, placing meat in a huge bowl. Add about ¼ cup broth to keep it moist. Sprinkle on 2 tablespoons of cajun seasoning and toss well to coat evenly.

Step 03

Take another big bowl and stir together the herb-flavored cream of chicken soup, garlic, sour cream, seasoning salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Rotel (with its liquid), and 1 tablespoon cajun spices. Work it into a smooth mix.

Step 04

Heat the rest of the chicken broth and mix it into the sauce until it’s blended.

Step 05

In a 9×13 baking dish, toss together the drained pasta, seasoned chicken pieces, your sauce, and half the shredded cheese. Use tongs or a large spoon to mix until everything’s evenly coated.

Step 06

Add the rest of the grated cheese on top. Sprinkle parsley over the top. Cover with a sheet of foil you've sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake for 25 minutes, remove the foil, and bake another 10 minutes. Look for bubbly edges and golden cheese.

Tips

  1. Store-bought cajun seasoning works fine, but homemade is a great option.
  2. To rewarm, splash some stock over the pasta so it stays soft.
  3. Perfect for prepping in advance for hectic evenings.

Required Tools

  • 9×13 dish for baking
  • Large pot to boil noodles
  • Mixing bowls (you’ll need at least two)
  • Foil for covering the dish

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Includes dairy from items like cheese and sour cream
  • Has gluten due to pasta

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 575
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Proteins: 35 g