The Ultimate Creamy & Spicy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel & Velveeta: Your New Go-To Comfort Food
If your heart beats for pasta, get ready for a truly exceptional experience! This recipe brings together tender chicken, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and a lusciously cheesy, wonderfully creamy, and perfectly spicy sauce that will become an instant family favorite. We’re talking about the one and only Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta – the epitome of soul-satisfying comfort food. It’s a dish designed to impress and delight, offering a rich and fulfilling meal that’s surprisingly easy to master. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible versatility: you’re the master of the spice, effortlessly adjusting the heat level by simply choosing your preferred variety of canned Rotel tomatoes. Get ready for a pasta dish that promises flavor, comfort, and customizability in every delicious bite.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Why You’ll Adore This Irresistible Chicken Spaghetti
This Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a culinary hug that promises ease, flavor, and incredible flexibility. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation:
- Unbeatable Flavor Combination: The pairing of succulent chicken with tender spaghetti creates a foundation for a truly extraordinary sauce. Velveeta delivers an unparalleled creaminess, while Rotel introduces a delightful kick of spice and tang, making every forkful a harmonious blend of savory, cheesy, and spicy notes.
- Effortless Preparation: This recipe is designed for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, you can whip up this comforting meal without stress, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.
- Customizable to Your Palate: One of the greatest features is the control you have over the spice level. Whether you prefer a gentle hint of heat or a fiery kick, simply select the Rotel variety that best suits your family’s taste buds. This makes the dish universally appealing, even for those with varying spice tolerances.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it straight from the stovetop for a quick, hearty meal, or bake it in the oven for a golden, bubbly top and a richer, casserole-like texture. It’s like having two delicious recipes in one, catering to your time constraints and textural preferences.
- Crowd-Pleasing Potential: This creamy, cheesy, and flavorful pasta dish is a guaranteed hit at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual dinners with friends. It’s hearty, satisfying, and consistently receives rave reviews, ensuring there are never any leftovers (unless you plan for them!).
From its simple ingredients to its rich taste, this chicken spaghetti offers everything you could want in a comfort food classic, adapted perfectly to your family’s preferences.
Mastering the Heat: Your Rotel Options
Rotel is a renowned brand name for diced tomatoes combined with green chilies, or for those seeking more adventure, habanero chilies. The beauty of incorporating Rotel into your Chicken Spaghetti lies in its diverse range of heat levels, allowing you to perfectly tailor the spiciness to your family’s preference. This flexibility ensures everyone at the table can enjoy the dish exactly how they like it.
My first culinary journey with Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta began with the original variety of Rotel. It was undeniably delicious, but my family quickly expressed a desire for a bit more zest. Since then, the “hot” variety has become our go-to choice, delivering a distinctly spicy kick to the cheese sauce that truly elevates the flavor profile. It’s a wonderful example of how easily this recipe can adapt to individual tastes.
To help you choose the perfect level of heat for your household, here’s a breakdown of the different Rotel canned tomato varieties and my personal assessment of their spice levels:
- Mild – This option offers virtually no heat, presenting just the subtle, earthy taste of mild green chilies. It’s an ideal choice for young children or anyone who prefers to avoid spicy flavors, providing a gentle enhancement that’s a small step above regular diced tomatoes.
- Original – The original blend provides a very subtle, mild spicy flavor. Most individuals who appreciate a hint of warmth without overwhelming heat will thoroughly enjoy this variety. It imparts a delicate zest, comparable to a mild salsa, that complements the creamy cheese sauce beautifully.
- Hot – Brace yourself for a significant spicy flavor and just enough heat to truly awaken the cheese sauce. If your family enjoys bold, piquant food, the “Hot” Rotel is your perfect match. It brings a vibrant intensity similar to a hot salsa, making every bite exciting.
- Fire Roasted – This is a relatively newer addition to the Rotel family, offering a unique smoky depth. While I haven’t personally incorporated fire-roasted Rotel tomatoes into this specific chicken spaghetti recipe yet, I’m highly optimistic about its potential. Its inherent smoky notes promise to add another layer of delicious complexity, and I plan to update this post once I’ve had the chance to experiment with it. It’s an intriguing option for those looking to explore different flavor dimensions.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Creating a truly memorable Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta is incredibly simple, requiring just a handful of staple ingredients. Gather these items, and you’ll be well on your way to a delightful meal:
- Spaghetti: The classic choice for this dish, providing the perfect texture to cling to the rich sauce.
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced. A rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for maximum convenience!
- Velveeta Cheese: The secret to that unbelievably smooth, creamy, and consistent cheese sauce.
- Rotel Canned Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Your flavor and spice foundation – choose your preferred heat level.
- Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds a layer of creamy richness and depth to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency and enhances overall flavor.
- Cream Cheese: For an extra boost of luxurious creaminess and richness (optional, but highly recommended!).
- Cheddar Cheese (optional for topping): For a golden, bubbly crust when baked, or a fresh sprinkle on top.
- Green Onions (optional for topping): Adds a fresh, pungent garnish and a pop of color.
For a full list of precise ingredients and measurements, please refer to the recipe card below.
This recipe is also an ingenious way to utilize leftovers! If you happen to have a half-package of cooked spaghetti on hand from a previous meal (perhaps from serving Sunday Gravy with homemade meatballs), it’s the perfect opportunity to transform it into this exciting new dish. Repurposing ingredients not only reduces waste but also saves you time and effort in the kitchen.
The Unmatched Creaminess: Why Velveeta Shines
While I don’t typically cook with Velveeta every day (in fact, it’s only featured in one other recipe on my blog, Cheesy Grits), it stands out as an indispensable ingredient for this Chicken Spaghetti. Velveeta offers a consistent, delicious flavor and, more importantly, an unparalleled ability to create an incredibly smooth, velvety cheese sauce that simply can’t be replicated with traditional cheeses.
One of the practical benefits of Velveeta is its impressive shelf life after opening. Once you’ve used what you need, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks. Simply wrap any unused portions tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a sealed plastic bag to preserve its freshness. This generous storage time makes a 2-pound block of Velveeta a smart ingredient to keep on hand, ensuring you’re always ready for your next batch of creamy chicken spaghetti or other cheesy creations.
When the goal is an ultra-smooth, perfectly melty cheese sauce, Velveeta truly delivers a silky texture like no other ingredient. Is it a touch indulgent? Absolutely! Do I adore it for this specific recipe? One hundred percent yes. Its unique melt ensures your sauce is consistently creamy, perfectly coating every strand of spaghetti and piece of chicken, creating that signature comfort food experience we all crave.
Crafting the Irresistible Cheesy Sauce
The heart of this Chicken Spaghetti lies in its incredibly easy-to-make, yet utterly delicious, cheese sauce. This velvety creation comes together with minimal effort, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful base for your pasta. Here’s how you’ll combine the magic in a large saucepan on your stovetop. Turn the heat to medium-low, and prepare to witness these ingredients melt into a symphony of creamy goodness:
- 1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed: The star, ensuring unmatched smoothness.
- 1 can cream of chicken and mushroom soup: For an extra layer of savory creaminess. You can also use either cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup individually.
- 1 cup chicken broth: To achieve the perfect pourable consistency.
- 1 can of Rotel: Your chosen variety for that signature spicy kick – select mild, original, or hot according to your preference.
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened: For an added boost of richness and a decadent, thicker sauce (optional, but highly recommended for ultimate indulgence).
- 1 teaspoon pepper: To season and enhance all the vibrant flavors.
As the ingredients gently heat, stir occasionally until everything is beautifully melted and seamlessly blended into a smooth, bubbling sauce. This process is truly effortless, allowing the Velveeta to work its magic and create that perfectly uniform texture.
You are in complete control of your sauce’s creaminess and richness. If you desire an extra-creamy texture, simply add a second can of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup. This simple adjustment will yield an even more luxurious and decadent sauce, perfect for those who love their pasta smothered in rich goodness.
It’s true: nothing melts quite like Velveeta cheese, and its ability to create such a luscious, consistently smooth sauce is what makes this recipe truly special. This velvety base perfectly complements the savory chicken and tender spaghetti pasta. If you prefer a Velveeta cheese sauce that’s slightly less rich and creamy, simply omit the cream cheese from the recipe. This small change will result in a lighter, yet still incredibly flavorful, sauce.
Stovetop vs. Oven: Choose Your Path to Perfection
One of the fantastic aspects of this Chicken Spaghetti recipe is the flexibility in its final preparation. You have two excellent methods to choose from, each offering a slightly different experience, ensuring this dish fits perfectly into your meal plans.
Stovetop Option: A Quick & Classic One-Pot Meal
For those busy nights when you need dinner on the table swiftly, the stovetop method is your best friend. Once your cheesy sauce ingredients have melted and are wonderfully blended, simply stir in the cooked pasta and the shredded chicken directly into the large saucepan. Continue to heat over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until the pasta is thoroughly hot and the entire cheese sauce is bubbly and simmering. Before serving, garnish with your optional toppings like shredded cheddar cheese and diced green onions. This method offers a classic, creamy consistency that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying family dinner.
Baking Option: The “Mac and Cheese” Style Indulgence
If you have a little extra time and desire a dish with a magnificent, golden-brown crust and a richer, casserole-like texture, the baking option is ideal. Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C). Lightly spray a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with cooking spray (like Pam) or grease it with shortening. Transfer the combined ingredients from the saucepan – the cheesy sauce, cooked spaghetti, and chicken – into the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for approximately 40 minutes. This process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the edges to become wonderfully caramelized, giving your Chicken Spaghetti a comforting “mac and cheese” style texture and flavor that’s hard to resist.
While the stovetop version certainly gets dinner on the table a little faster, I personally adore the depth of flavor and how wonderfully the cheese sauce adheres to the spaghetti after a good bake in the oven. Both methods result in a delicious meal, so choose the one that best suits your schedule and desired texture!
Common Questions About Chicken Spaghetti
Velveeta is truly the secret ingredient for this Chicken Spaghetti. Its mild flavor perfectly enhances the savory chicken, the creamy soup, and the spicy Rotel without overpowering them. However, its main advantage is its unparalleled melting quality. Velveeta creates an exceptionally smooth, luscious, and consistent cheese sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti beautifully, a texture that’s difficult to achieve with other cheeses, making it a must-have for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Absolutely! While the name “Chicken Spaghetti” specifically refers to spaghetti noodles, you can certainly experiment with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni. Just be aware that using a different shape might cause a little good-natured confusion at the dinner table! Regardless of the pasta shape you choose, the key is to ensure you cook it al dente – slightly firm – before combining it with the cheese sauce. This prevents it from becoming mushy in the final dish.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Cooked Pasta
The foundation of an outstanding Chicken Spaghetti dish lies in perfectly cooked pasta. The goal is to achieve an “al dente” texture, which translates to “to the tooth” – meaning the pasta should still be slightly firm when you bite into it, not hard, not overly chewy, and definitely not mushy. This texture ensures the spaghetti holds up well in the rich sauce and maintains its integrity throughout the meal.
Here’s how to cook your spaghetti to perfection:
- Boil Water: Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water and bring it to a rolling boil. It’s crucial for the water to be vigorously boiling before adding the pasta to prevent it from sticking together.
- Season with Salt: Once boiling, add about a teaspoon of salt to the water. This seasons the pasta from the inside out and enhances its flavor significantly.
- Add Spaghetti: Carefully add your uncooked spaghetti noodles to the boiling salted water. Stir immediately to separate the strands.
- Cook Al Dente: Set a timer for 8-9 minutes. This timeframe is a general guideline; always refer to your package directions, but aim for the lower end of the recommended cooking time for al dente. You want the pasta to be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it.
- Drain Promptly: As soon as it reaches the al dente stage, drain the pasta immediately using a colander. Do not rinse the pasta, as the starch on the surface helps the sauce adhere better.
As a smart alternative, this recipe is absolutely ideal for using up leftover, cooked spaghetti. It’s my favorite way to give a second life to pasta from a previous night’s dinner, like after serving classic spaghetti with sauce earlier in the week. To store cooked spaghetti, place it in an airtight container or a sealed plastic storage bag and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days, ready to be transformed into this delightful Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta whenever you are.
Elevate Your Dish: Delicious Add-ins for Chicken Spaghetti
Making Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta a more complete and nutrient-rich meal is incredibly simple with the addition of fresh vegetables. By incorporating one or two of the ingredients listed below, you can transform this comforting pasta dish into a well-rounded, one-pan wonder. To ensure your vegetables are perfectly cooked and tender, I highly recommend steaming or cooking them until they are about half-cooked before stirring them into the cheesy sauce, spaghetti, and chicken mixture. This pre-cooking step guarantees they’ll reach their ideal texture without becoming too soft during the final cooking phase.
Stir in approximately one cup of any combination of the following vegetables either just before baking the chicken spaghetti (if using the oven method) or during the final cooking time on the stove (if using that method):
- Sliced, Fresh Mushrooms: Adds an earthy, umami depth and a tender texture.
- Chopped Broccoli: Steam or cook slightly to soften the stems before adding, for a vibrant green and nutritious boost.
- Diced Asparagus: Cook for a few minutes to soften before incorporating, offering a delicate flavor and crisp-tender bite.
- Diced Red or Green Bell Peppers: Provides a sweet crunch, beautiful color, and an extra layer of freshness.
- Diced Carrots: Cook for a few minutes before adding to the baking dish to ensure they are tender. They bring a subtle sweetness and bright orange hue.
These add-ins not only boost the nutritional value but also introduce wonderful textures and flavors, making your Chicken Spaghetti even more dynamic and satisfying.
Storage & Make-Ahead Magic: Enjoying Leftovers and Freezing
One of the many joys of Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta is how wonderfully it performs as leftovers – some might even say it gets better with age as the flavors deepen and meld! This makes it an ideal candidate for meal prepping or simply ensuring you have delicious, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.
Storing Leftovers: If you find yourself with extra Chicken Spaghetti (a rare but delightful occurrence!), storing it properly will allow you to savor its comforting flavors for days to come. After serving, let any remaining portions cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, you can either cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or, for more compact storage, scoop the leftovers into an airtight container. Store your chicken spaghetti in the refrigerator, and it will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven, making it a perfect quick lunch or dinner.
Freeze and Bake Later: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Solution! This recipe is also an excellent candidate for freezing, allowing you to prepare it ahead of time and enjoy a homemade meal up to 2 months later. The best part? There’s no need to bake it before freezing, which saves you time.
After you’ve combined all the ingredients (the cheesy sauce, cooked spaghetti, and chicken), decide on your portion sizes. You can either spoon the mixture into two or three freezer-safe dishes (like smaller casserole dishes) or disposable foil baking pans, or you can place the entire amount into one large freezer-safe dish.
For an extra touch of deliciousness when it bakes, spread 1-2 cups of grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top of each dish. Then, cover each pan with two layers of aluminum foil, pressing down firmly to seal out air and prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and place in the freezer.
To Defrost and Bake: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen Chicken Spaghetti, remove the dish from the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw for at least 24 hours. Once thawed, bake according to the recipe’s baking instructions (typically at 350° F for 30-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly, with the cheese melted and lightly browned). This make-ahead option is a lifesaver for busy weeks, offering a hearty, homemade meal with minimal effort on cooking day.
If this creamy, cheesy, and spicy Chicken Spaghetti has ignited your love for comforting pasta dishes, you’re in luck! I have even more family favorites that are sure to please. Dive into the rich flavors of Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, one of the most popular recipes on the Crinkled Cookbook. Or, for another exciting chicken and pasta combination, try my Spicy Chicken Alfredo, a recipe inspired by a truly tasty restaurant entree.
More Comfort Food Dinners to Love
- 10 Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast
- Easy Pork Tenderloin with Orange Sauce
- Lazy Lasagna
If you tried this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback helps me create more delicious content for you!
Recipe
Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta
Print
Rate
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded – about 4 cups of chicken, a fully cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is a great option
- 8 ounces spaghetti – half of a 16 ounce package, cooked
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can cream of mushroom and chicken soup – Or use one can of either cream of mushrom or cream of chicken soup
- 1 10 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, Rotel – use whichever variety has a spice level you prefer: mild, original or hot
- 1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed – about 2 cups
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded – optional
- ½ cup diced green onions – optional
Instructions
- Cook chicken or purchase a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Remove skin and bones and chop meat. You’ll need about 4 cups of cooked chicken.
- Cook spaghetti according to the package directions, approximately 10 minutes in boiling water. Drain the pasta set it aside.
- Using the same saucepan, combine the chicken broth, Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, 1 can of creamed soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom or creamy of mushroom chicken) Rotel tomatoes and pepper in a medium-sized saucepan on the stove.
- Over medium heat, stir gently until the sauce ingredients melt and blend together to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked spaghetti and the diced or shredded cooked chicken.
- Stovetop Option: After the ingredients melt and create the cheese sauce, stir in the cooked pasta and chicken and heat over medium-low heat until the pasta is hot and the cheese sauce is bubbly. Top with shredded cheese and diced onions before serving. Scoop up right from the saucepan.
- Baking Option: Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with Pam, or grease with shortening. Spread the ingredients from the saucepan (cheese sauce, spaghetti and chicken) into the dish and bake, uncovered for 30 minutes. If you’d like to add the optional toppings, remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the grated cheese and diced green onions on top. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the shredded cheese is melted and the spaghetti and cheese sauce is hot and bubbly.
Notes
Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.
Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook