Here’s a Rotel Tacos recipe — a delicious, cheesy, Tex-Mex-style taco filling made with Rotel tomatoes (a mix of diced tomatoes and green chilies), ground meat, and cheese. These are crowd-pleasers and incredibly easy to make.
🌮 Rotel Tacos Recipe (Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos with Rotel)
📋 Ingredients:
For the Taco Filling:
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1 lb ground beef (can substitute with ground turkey or chicken)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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1 clove garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
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1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained slightly
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1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade, see below)
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½ cup water
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican blend)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
Taco Shells & Toppings:
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8 small taco shells (hard or soft)
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Shredded lettuce
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Diced tomatoes
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Sliced jalapeños
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Sour cream
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Avocado or guacamole
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Hot sauce
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Cilantro (for garnish)
🧂 Optional: Homemade Taco Seasoning (instead of packet):
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1 tsp chili powder
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½ tsp cumin
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½ tsp paprika
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¼ tsp garlic powder
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¼ tsp onion powder
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¼ tsp oregano
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Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
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Salt & pepper to taste
🍳 Instructions:
1. Brown the Ground Beef
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it starts to brown (about 5-6 minutes).
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Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Add Onion and Garlic
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Add chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft.
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Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
3. Add Rotel and Seasoning
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Pour in the can of Rotel tomatoes (drained slightly).
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Stir in taco seasoning (or your homemade blend) and ½ cup water.
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Simmer the mixture for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the mixture thickens.
4. Make It Cheesy
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Turn heat to low.
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Stir in shredded cheese and (optionally) cream cheese or sour cream for extra creaminess.
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Cook until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. Prepare Tacos
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Warm taco shells according to package instructions.
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Fill each shell with a generous scoop of the Rotel taco meat.
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Add your favorite toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
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Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or chips and queso.
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For a low-carb option, use lettuce wraps instead of taco shells.
🧊 Storage & Reheating:
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Store leftover taco filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.