Cheesy Rotel Pasta Dish

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.

Save

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.

Save

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.