Rotel Tacos
These easy Rotel Tacos combine spicy, tangy Rotel tomatoes with melted cheese and seasoned ground beef for a quick, flavorful meal ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, they deliver bold Tex-Mex flavors using simple, accessible ingredients that the whole family will love.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Skillet cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free taco shells)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 8 taco shells (crunchy or soft)
- Cook the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Add Seasoning: Drain excess fat from the skillet, then sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the beef and onions. Stir well to coat and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Mix in Rotel Tomatoes: Pour in the Rotel tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the liquid to thicken slightly.
- Stir in Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle shredded cheese over the mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese has fully melted and the filling is creamy.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Warm the taco shells according to package instructions. Spoon the hot Rotel beef mixture into each shell. Add your preferred toppings and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Drain Fat Well: Removing excess grease from the cooked meat prevents soggy tacos and keeps flavors clean.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh onion and garlic enhance the savory flavor profile significantly.
- Don’t Skip the Simmer: Simmering helps blend the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Choose Your Cheese Wisely: Cheddar or Monterey Jack melts smoothly and complements the filling well.
- Warm Shells Thoroughly: Properly heated taco shells remain crisp and less likely to crack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Rotel tacos, Tex-Mex, quick tacos, cheese tacos, ground beef tacos, easy weeknight meal, spicy tacos